Heard the one about a horse that walks into a bar and the barman says, why the long face?

What about the one where a horse walks into a bar, and the barman says, "packet of cheese crisps?"

If you are a regular drinker at the Woodman pub in Woodmansterne you may have heard these questions asked of Alfie, a three-year-old minature Shetland pony who is a regular there.

The pint-sized pony made his first appearance at the pub earlier this year after his owner Sharon Sutherland decided his health was being affected by long periods spent alone.

The 41-year-old of Chipstead Way, Banstead, said: "He became very attached to me during a period of illness, so in case he became unwell again I didn't want to leave him."

Sharon, a regular a the Woodman, knew she had no choice but to take Alfie with her but she was unsure what the reaction from other drinkers would be.

"I wondered if we might not be allowed in," she said. "But the sign banning animals only said dogs were not allowed - it didn't say anything about horses."

Recalling the first time she took Alfie into the pub, Sharon said: "I walked in and everyone was shocked.

"I just sat down, undid the bridle and he just started exploring."

Matthew Lowe, the pub's landlord, said: "My wife thought it was a dog at first, but we soon realised it wasn't.

"I was just surprised at first, but now it's fine. He's a lovely horse, he doesn't cause any problems, but he does need to work on his toilet training."

Rick Turner, 60, a drinker in the pub, said "I'm used to it by now. Alfie is popular and everybody loves him."

Despite his popularity, things have not always gone to plan.

"He had a little accident once," Sharon admits, "But luckily no-one saw. I cleaned it up quickly and it was fine.

"Alfie also escaped once. He was spotted by a lady who thought she was seeing things."

Sharon is planning to add another animal to to her collection, which in the past has included pot-bellied pigs, pygmy goats and chipmunks.

"My aim is to get a monkey, I think he could ride on the back of Alfie - that would definitely turn a few heads."

Alfie's top five tipples

Red Rum

100 per cent "hoof" vodkaA Moscow mule cocktailBlackwoods Shetland vodkaWhite Horse whiskey