High water and low gardens haven't prevented family-man Neil Tomlinson enjoying a successful first year at the Ship Inn, at Acaster Malbis.

The landlord was shocked to find his garden under water at the riverside pub just days after he moved in with his wife, Samantha, and children, Jake and Cameron.

But a year later things are running much more smoothly with a new restaurant, The Wheelhouse, and eight guest rooms at the thriving community pub.

Neil, who held a barbecue party to celebrate his first year anniversary, said: "We heard rumours of flooding, but I didn't expect to find water in the garden in the middle of summer.

"But overall it's been a very good year, we've started well and got things back up and running, despite the flooding."

Neil Tomlinson, landlord of the Ship Inn, at Acaster Malbis, York, is pictured with his wife, Samantha, and children, Jake, four, and Cameron, one, who held a barbecue to celebrate their first year at the pub.

Updated: 11:00 Thursday, June 19, 2003