FORGET cheese ploughman's or limp sandwiches - diners at a Sussex pub will now be able to enjoy a really first class meal.

Landlord Fred Courcha achieved a ten-year ambition yesterday when an entire train carriage was lifted into the garden of his pub in Sompting.

Regulars at the Gardener's Arms will be able to board the 1962 C1 Doncaster carriage before selecting their meals from an extensive menu.

Fred said: "I first had the idea ten years ago after talking to one of my customers, but it's taken me this long to get planning permission.

"I think the main reason why I kept getting turned down was because we're in a conservation area here, but over the years they've come round."

Planners finally gave him the green signal and yesterday the 70ft carriage was put in place.

Fred said: "It was being used by the SAS for train siege training. It's in a dreadful state at the moment, but I'm going to restore it in the style of a Pullman carriage and have it totally resprayed."

Fred will not reveal how much the carriage cost, but the transport from the Watercress Line, Hampshire, and the crane to lift it into the garden alone cost £6,000.

He is also having an extension built.

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Fred, who is married with two grown-up daughters, said his customers could not wait to try their first meal in the carriage.

He added: "The pub has been packed since it arrived. The regulars love it."

Fred is hoping the restaurant will be on the right track to open on December 15. He will hold a competition to find a name.

The carriage arrived on an articulated lorry under police escort, but had to be rerouted because it couldn't negotiate a corner in Busticle Lane.

Fred said it took an hour for the 31-tonne carriage to be reversed into its new home, but the delicate drop-off was hampered by gale-force winds.

Pub regular Bob Britnell, 51, who lives near the pub, said: "I think it will really take off. It is a bit of a novelty and I hope it will be a success.

"I have been going in there for a while and Fred has been talking about it for ages. It is great to see his dream finally come to something. I cannot wait to try out the carriage.

"They do excellent meals there and have a good reputation. It is great to see his hard work paying off. "

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