A man from Sheerness received the shock of his life when he discovered a familiar face on a pub sign.

John Cross had just finished shopping in Neats Court when he noticed a photo of his grandfather on a new pub being built called The Five Bridges.

John, who lives in Scarborough Drive, Minster, and will soon be 80, said: “I couldn’t believe it. No one warned me. My mum Mabel was one of his girls.”

His grandfather, Dick Evenden, died in January 1966 aged 90.

He had multiple professions which include a cabin boy, soldier and seaman but his biggest claim to fame was being the last of the Hovellers, an early version of modern-day river pilots.

"I couldn't believe it. No one warned me..." - John Cross

Dick joined the collier Edith Wood and also worked on the Swale to help captains navigate the narrow gap in the bridge.

He later bought his own tug and towed sailing craft in and out of the Swale to the industrial and commercial wharfs at Sittingbourne and Milton.

He served on the canals of France and Belgium with the Army during the First World War and returned to the Swale as a waterman.

Dick's final accomplishment was beating the panel on the former TV show 'What's My Line'.

The Five Bridges is due to open on Monday, April 25.