Drinkers popping into Margate’s oldest – and smallest – pub are likely to be joined by six-year-old alsatian Sabre.

His party trick is to stand up on his hind legs against the bar, begging crisps.

The Northern Belle, is in Mansion Street, just a stonesthrow from the Droit House.

The pub dates from 1680 when it was created from two older fishermen’s cottages, themselves thought to have been built in 1640, at the height of the English Civil War. It was known for many years as the Waterman’s Arms.

That changed in January, 1857, after a ship named the Northern Belle ran aground during storms off Kingsgate.

Although a lifeboat man died in the rescue, the crew was saved and brought ashore, initially at the Captain Digby, amid much local celebration.

Later on, the wreck found its way on to nearby beaches and the timber salvaged. Parts of the mast and a davit found their way into the fabric of the pub which changed its name in honour of the stricken vessel. They are still in evidence to this day.

Licensee Dave Davies has been in charge for the past five years and these days runs the Northern Belle with partner Debbie.

He said: “I’m only the third licensee here since 1962. Thirty or so years ago I worked behind the bar. When the pub became available in 2003, I came to look around and fell in love with the place all over again.”

The pub has been in the CAMRA good beer guide for successive years and came third in Thanet CAMRA’s latest ratings of real ale houses.

~For full story, see the this week’s Thanet Extra, out on Wednesday.