WITH two children under four, landlord Leigh Pickering has decided the time has come to go from barman to family man.

His pub, the Horse and Groom, in Alfred Street, Westbury, has just been put on the market together with its own micro-brewery, Westbury Ales, which was started two years ago.

Mr Pickering, 35, who runs the pub with his wife Jayne, 36, said: "We've got four children with two under pre-school age and it's become a struggle keeping the late nights and the early mornings. We want to spend more time as a family.

"I was brought up in Wiltshire, near Tisbury, but have lived all over the place. Coming here was like coming home. I've absolutely loved living in Westbury and we hope we can stay here and find a business in the area to run."

Mr Pickering and his family took over the pub nearly five years ago and have seen the business grow.

In 2004, he decided to set up his own brewery and the ale has proved to be the most popular in the pub. It has featured in national and local beer festivals and is also supplied to a network of wholesalers across the country.

Mr Pickering said: "It had been about 65 years since Westbury had its own brewery so I was keen to restart a tradition. It was all new to me but we were lucky to have some spare space and I learned my craft."

He will be on hand to train the new buyer in the art of brewing and will also be available during the handover period.

"I'd be delighted if another Westbury or Wiltshire person was to take over the pub and hope they have as much fun as we've had," he said.

While looking forward to having more time to spend with the kids, Mr Pickering said he would be sad to leave.

"We've been made very welcome here and have lots of loyal and kind customers and the staff are great," he said.

He added it was highly unlikely the family would be leaving the pub before the New Year and he is looking forward to spending a final Christmas with both new and regular customers.

The pub is being sold by Bristol based pub agents Christie and Co and is on the market for £157,000.

It was built in the 17th century and is a detached two-storey Grade II listed building, complete with micro-brewery, skittle alley, beer garden with children's play area.