A retired military policeman says he has been barred from his local pub, where he’s been a regular for more than three decades, because he complained about the state of the toilets.

Stephen Devlin has been drinking at The Cricketers in Rainham High Street for the past 34 years but says the manager banned him after he raised issues about the men’s loos.

Mr Devlin, 67, popped into the pub at lunchtime on December 31 to have coffee with his 74-year-old friend.

However, after sitting down to enjoy their drinks, Mr Devlin, who lives in Beverley Close, Rainham, claims the manager came over, pointed his finger at him and told him he was barred from the Greene King pub.

Mr Devlin said he had previously complained to management and bar staff about the state of the toilets.

He said: “I complained about the gents several times as they have not been fixed for months.

“Three of the cubicle doors are broken and the hand dryer has not worked for five months.

“I’ve never caused any trouble in the pub. I’ve been drinking there for 34 years.

“I have never been arrested or thrown out of the pub for anything and used to be a military policeman for 17 years.

“I have been banned because I moaned about the state of the toilets several times.

“The manager came over and pointed his finger in my face on New Year’s Eve and said I had been barred after I’d been badmouthing him to his staff.

“I have not done that. All I did was complain about the toilets.”

“I’ve never caused any trouble in the pub. I’ve been drinking there for 34 years" - Stephen Devlin

Mr Devlin called Greene King to complain and to see if he could appeal the decision. He received a letter saying the decision remained and the company would not correspond with him further.

A Greene King spokesman said: “The manager has a right to refuse entry to anyone whose behaviour they feel is unacceptable and impacting the smooth running of the pub.

“A manager’s decision to bar a guest is not one that is taken lightly. We have investigated this complaint internally and we support the manager’s actions in this instance.

“In relation to the condition of the toilet facilities at the pub, we are planning a full refurbishment later this year.”