THE man behind the most famous football club mascot in the country didn't flap when he needed something for the wall of his new pub -- he had something that fitted the bill!

Simon Nash, the man inside Preston North End's Deepdale Duck, left the club to take over the Duke William pub in Longridge.

But instead of the usual animal heads which adorn country pub walls, locals will be staring at the duck.

The head of the duck, whose suit has since been upgraded, took pride of place in the Chapel Hill, Longridge pub when Simon and his family moved in a fortnight ago. Simon said: "I have spent the past four years working with the Duck and I have really enjoyed it. But I might have to give the head back."

"We have really created something special in Deepdale Duck. He has been on telly, radio and in the newspapers. "The chance to take over this pub was to good to miss so it had to be done."

It was only after Simon moved into the pub that he realised he still had the bizarre memento.

He said: "The club changed the costume a while back and I kept the head."

The duck is notorious in East Lancashire after being accused of distracting ex-Rovers keeper Tim Flowers in a Coca-Cola Cup tie at Preston three years ago.

And last season he battled with Burnley FC's mascot Bertie Bee, then made national headlines when he was banned from Everton's ground. Simon plans to start serving food at the pub soon -- but insists duck will remain on the wall, not on the menu!

A spokesman for Preston North End wished Simon all the best, adding: "The duck will be up to his old tricks from the start of the season."