A GWENT man is so potty about pool that he travels 250 miles a week to play for a pub team.

Paul Reynolds, 39, from Newport, wooed pub-goers with his pool prowess while on holiday in Weymouth, Dorset, last summer.

So much so that regulars of Ma Baker's pub asked him to join their pub team - and he agreed.

King of the cues Paul who was recently made captain, has only missed two games and that was while he underwent keyhole heart surgery.

"I love playing pool and love Weymouth and this kills two birds with one stone," he said "I have been visiting Weymouth on holiday for the last six years - it's a lovely place and every time I go there it's sunny."

The dedicated pool player drives 125 miles to the pub every Wednesday to play a Weymouth Premier League match and has gone down a storm with his team-mates who have dubbed him 'Tornado Taff'.

After the game, Paul, has a couple of cups of coffee before braving the three- hour journey home, often arriving back in the early hours of the morning.

But his team - called the Loony Tunes - aren't exactly making a name for themselves. They play in the second division of the Weymouth league and are currently seventh out of 10 teams.

And Paul, who keeps his cue in the pub, admits his hobby puts a substantial hole in his pocket, costing him £40 a week in travel costs and £2 subs.

On one occasion he did not get home until 9am after huge winds closed the Severn Bridge forcing him on a 75-mile detour.

He added: "Last summer I went into the pub and started playing pool and got to know the regulars.

"I'm not a bad player and when they asked me to join I was delighted and agreed immediately. People think I'm barmy driving 250 miles just for a few frames but I love the company and playing in the league."