WHEN I wer' a lad, a trip to the local pub normally involved lashings of warm beer, a packet of pork scratchings and enough money for a kebab on way back 'ome.

Yet for one man, propping up the bar at pubs up and down the country is a necessary evil -- and one which has ended up as a real-life 'beer career'.

For John Feenan is a tegestologist which, to you and me, is a fancy name for someone who collects beer mats. And at the last count, John has notched up more than 20,000 mats from breweries and pubs from all over the country in a passion which has spanned more than ten years.

Now, in an attempt to find the 'Holy Grail' of beer mats, John is set to sample a number of watering holes in Preston in search of mats from yesteryear.

Decades ago, Preston had one of the largest concentration of breweries and many will remember Preston Brewery which stood proudly in the town for many years.

John, 46, from Gloucester, has even set up his very own 'Virtual Museum' via the Internet in an attempt to show off his prized possessions.

"Tegestologists have been collecting beer mats for as long as they have been placed on pub tables," explained John. "Ever since 1922 to be exact.

He added: "How many of your readers would recollect Preston Brewery?

"This long-established and independent brewery was taken over by Thwaites which still serves Blackburn.

"Although I'm travelling to Preston in Easter, I would love to hear from anyone who may have a beer mat representing Preston Brewery.

"Many of these older mats were printed on thick board-like material and often bore the name of the printer.

"Being a 'southerner', I have very few examples of these pre-war mats."

"My unusual hobby takes myself and my nine-year-old daughter Danielle on various adventures around the country, because I travel in search of old and rare beer mats."

John is no stranger to the bright lights of fame as he was featured on Channel 4's 'Collectors Lot' hosted by Sarah Greene a few months ago.

Also, John and his 20,000 mats were pencilled in for an appearance on Big breakfast with Johnny Vaughan and Denise Van Outen.

"I quickly picked up one the fact that both Johnny and Denise would have taken great delight in castigating my hobby to the nation, so I didn't bother!"

If you can help John, or just want to find out more about his collection, visit http://.beermatswanted.homestead.com or e-mail john.feenan@blueyonder.co.uk