It takes a steady hand, a fine touch and years of experience.

But the signwriting skills of Eric Pollard are as steeped in tradition as the Shepherd Neame pubs which boast his handiwork.

Taking a break from putting the finishing touches to the fine wisps of barley now adorning the Three Horseshoes at Staplestreet, Hernhill, Eric revealed that every one of the letters boasting Fine Faversham Ales on each of the 30 or so Sheps' pubs he has worked on is painted freehand.

As are the hops, barley, and every little flourish and swirl.

Eric, who works for signwriters Gerald Wilton Designs at Upper Hardres, says there is no measuring out and drawing the letters first.

It's all done by painting directly on to wood or brick, brush steadied by a traditional maulstick.

And the Three Horseshoes presented a further challenge, with its overlapping weatherboard making the lettering all the more difficult.

From his ladder propped against the Three Horseshoes, Eric could almost see the site of his first signwriting job - the butchers in Boughton Street which he completed in 1960 at the age of 11.

His handiwork has become familiar as the brewery has chosen to use lettering and styles from its heritage as Britain's oldest brewer to embellish its tied houses.

The Imperial at Southborough

The Three Horseshoes frontage is now almost identical to that shown in an 1880 fading sepia photograph behind the bar and the brewery has used its rich archive to research suitable designs.

Fine examples can be seen in the Miller's Arms in Canterbury as well as The Sun in Faversham, The Three Mariners at Oare and the Plough at Lewson Street.

The lettering is used on the brewery building, such as the Faversham Ales sign in North Lane, and it was Eric who repainted the famous hop garland outside the brewery office in Court Street in time for last year's hop festival.

Horseshoes landlord and landlady Marc and Lucy Everett are delighted with the finished result.

"We get people calling in after driving or walking past and admiring the traditional look - particularly in this weather when they see a blazing old-fashioned log fire as well. Eric has done a fantastic job," said Marc.

Shepherd Neame property and tenanted trade director George Barnes said: "We endeavour to use local craftsmen where possible and Eric is remarkably skilled.

"His sign-writing enhances the appearance of historic and characterful pubs and is more sympathetic than fascia boards.

"Eric's distinctive sign-writing provides a real stand-out feature for all the pubs he has worked on."