A FAN of one of the world's stranger hobbies is hoping that beer fans in Warrington can come to his aid.

John Feenan is a tegestologist, which is otherwise known as a collector of beer mats, and has been for the past 10 years.

He has an estimated several thousand but stopped counting after 20,000 and that was two years ago. He has even had an extension built to house his extraordinary collection!

John has his own website, www.beermatswanted.homestead.com, which is a shrine to his novel pastime and serves as an important source for finding as-yet undiscovered mats.

But now the mild eccentric has turned his hunt to Warrington's brewery heritage.

He said: "As a nation of collectors and hobbyists I don't consider myself any more an anorak than the next person.

"Beer mats can be just as attractive as stamps, phone cards, paintings and the like. In a way I feel that my 'museum' is a small record of our brewery heritage.

"I am seeking the first beer mats that were reputedly printed for both Burtonwood and Greenalls. I have a couple of examples on my website for the latter but a pre-war example for Burtonwood still eludes me.

"I understand that it may have the wording 'Mine's a Record Burtonwood Guaranteed Ales' on the beer mat, but I cannot be certain.

"As for the earliest known ones for Greenalls it is likely they will all feature 'Wilderspool Ales' on them.

"Beer mats, by dint of their material, were designed to have a relatively short life and as I'm going back some 60-odd years, then few of these rare examples are ever found.

"But I continue in my quest. They would be wonderful additions to my 'museum'."

Anyone who can help John in his search can call him on 01452 721643.