COLIN Eastham is a man with a mission.

He has taken on a 20-year lease for The Hargreaves Arms, Manchester Road, Accrington, to make one of the biggest pubs in the town also the best.

Colin, 29, completed his licensee training after 13 years in the army. During his years in the forces Darwen-born Colin served in Northern Ireland and Bosnia.

Colin said: "They offered me a 10-year lease; I asked for 25 and we settled on 20. I want to make a proper go of it, I want to get it up to the standard that it should be."

Colin's plans include a renovation of the second floor in the pub for functions and also in time for Euro 2004. The pub will also, by the end of the week, show all live football including pay-per-view games.

Colin has also set-up a website: www.the-hargreaves-arms.com.