AN Oxford landlord reckons his hearty ales and good grub won his pub a starring role in TV drama Lewis.

Tom Rainey and his staff at The Punter in Osney served up a birthday dinner to the show’s cast and crew last time they were filming in the city and the location manager was impressed with what he saw.

Earlier this week they were back again with the cameras to film scenes with the show’s star Laurence Fox, who plays DS James Hathaway.

Mr Rainey said: “I’ve always been a fan of Morse and Lewis, even before I moved to Oxford.

“We were only shut for six hours – they were in and out very quickly. They found the pub because they eat and drink here when they are filming.”