Quiz king Harry Norton claims he has been banned from an Essex pub for thinking and not drinking.

His ghastly crime? He repeatedly wins the Wednesday night pub quiz at the Windmill Tavern in East Hanningfield, and pockets the £20 top prize.

However, lone ranger Harry - who competes alone - said his latest triumph was tarnished when he was shown the red card by the pub's landlord.

The teetotaller claims it is because he only drinks soft drinks and doesn't down pints with the regulars.

He added: "I think he got the needle because I had won the previous week but I was applauded by the people in the pub - I honestly don't think anyone begrudged my win on the night."

However, landlord Roy Liddiard denies this is the case, and said he had only asked Harry to stay away for a few weeks because punters had threatened to boycott the quiz.

He added: "He comes in on his own and every single week wins the first prize. Everyone's saying they are going to leave my pub because they are getting annoyed that no-one else ever wins.

"I just asked him to go to a few other quiz nights to give my other customers a chance.

"It has got nothing to do with the fact that he doesn't drink - there's more profit in Coke than in beer.

Harry said he was dumfounded when the East Hanningfield publican soured his twin win.

When he asked why, Harry claims he was told it was because he only drank a glass of Coke while opposing teams were drinking pints and there had been complaints from customers.

The retired Royal Mail engineer, added: "I was absolutely astonished and then angry.

"Have you ever heard such a stupid reason to ban a customer?"

The self-confessed quiz addict from Basildon took pub quizzes up as a hobby when he retired.

His prowess as a competitor has earned him respect all over Essex, particularly at The White Horse, Ramsden Heath, where he is a Tuesday night regular.

This was underlined last month when he was a finalist in Channel Four's Fifteen-to-One quiz programme.

Alex Carroll, manager of the White Horse, said: "Harry is one of our most popular customers - a real gent. He is not frightened to compete on his own and has won quite a few times.

"I'd never consider banning - I would be lynched. We all like Harry and nobody takes any notice of what he drinks."

Brain box - Harry Norton says he's been banned from the Windmill Tavern

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.