The other peril that I didn't mention is that I keep an eye out for a discreetly hidden car clamping sign. I don't go into every pub I photograph and therefore they would regard me as a fair target because I'm not a customer.

As I said at the start, I had photographed over 400 pubs before my first confrontation although I feel less comfortable since the smoking ban forced people to congregate around the front door.

Maybe it's an 'occupational' hazard. I've never met the legendary John McGraw but he must have had more hairy encounters than everyone else and I would envisage he has a wonky nose like a veteran centre half!

Let's be careful out there....