PUB regular Rob Watson was gasping for a pint after giving up beer for six months.

Rob, a familiar face at the Rosehill Tavern, Leigh Road, Westhoughton, gave up alcohol to raise money to help a sick child who had touched his heart.

His sponsored thirst raised a total of £640 for his chosen charity, but Rob personally lost 42 pounds -- in WEIGHT.

The event was so successful -- in aid of the Nathan Howarth Appeal -- because his fellow drinkers did not think he would give up beer for so long.

Rosehill Tavern landlord Kevin Connor said: "It was very hard for Rob to do because he does like a drink. But he managed it and would pop in to see us every so often and have an orange juice!

"I wasn't worried about my profits going down because I made more money from him having soft drinks than beer."

Father-of-three Rob, aged 40, decided to boost the local appeal after he claims major charities turned their noses up at his efforts.

Asphalter Rob, of Daisy Hill said: "I decided to give up beer to lose weight. Instead of just giving it up, I thought I'd raise money for some worthy cause. But when I contacted the charities, they didn't want to know.

"Then I saw the posters in the pub about Nathan. I grew up in Great Lever and I thought I'd give the money to start the appeal.

"I just hope local companies and others will follow suit and help raise money for Nathan."

Rob shed an amazing THREE stones on his beer-free diet.

He explained: "As an asphalter, I drank a lot because the work is very hot and thirsty. But as soon as I stopped drinking, the weight fell off me. I actually lost too much. I've had to put back a stone to improve my health."

Nathan Howarth, aged three, suffers from the extremely rare genetic disorder fanconi anaemia and needs specialist treatment in America.

His parents, Denise Kelly and Mick Howarth, are trying to raise money so he can undertake the treatment.