Landlord Dave Russell is champion at catching out customers with his tall tales – and his fascination with fibs led him to a national competition to find the world’s biggest liar.

He let his imagination run riot when he took part in a famous contest which attracts expert liars from across the globe. Dave, landlord at The Britannia Inn, Wollaston, Stourbridge, narrowly missed out on winning.

He lost out to Cumbrian man Johnny “Liar” Graham, who took the top spot. But Dave said it will not stop his penchant for porkies back at his pub in High Street, Wollaston.

The licensee, who says he is aged 27, had to stand up in front of the audience for five minutes and recite his best lies at The Bridge Inn, Stanton Bridge, Cumbria, yesterday.

He said: “Having been in the pub trade for a long time I have got used to keeping customers entertained and I am always making up stories.

“If someone comes in and asks me where I have been or what I have been up to I always make something interesting up, it is something I have always done.”

He added: “I would have liked to win but it was a good experience anyway and it was a great night.”

“The only annoying thing is that I had to take a break from filming the next James Bond film for this in which I am working as Daniel Craig’s body double.”

The annual fib fest is held in honour of popular 19th century Lake District publican Will Rutson, from Wasdale Valley, who used to keep his customers entertained with his made-up stories. It attracts expert liars from around the world, who have between two and five minutes to tell the biggest tall tale they can come up with. Comedienne Sue Perkins won last year.

Dave Russell’s lies:

* His distant relatives were twins who were born within eight minutes of each other and also died within eight minutes of each other.  

* He works as a stunt double for Daniel Craig and his was the body used in the scene where 007 comes out of the sea in Casino Royale.

* He is aged 27.

* He can never remember his mobile number because he is sponsored by 02 mobile phones and receives a new phone every day.