An electrician who beat off hundreds of hopefuls to become the sole landlord and king of a tiny British island has been coronated - by having beer poured over his head. Aaron Sanderson, 33, took part in the centuries-old tradition in front of hundreds of well-wishers, where he also wore a helmet and sat on a beer barrel throne.
The sparky beat around 200 other applicants to become landlord of the Ship Inn on Piel Island, which lies half a mile off the Furness coast, in Cumbria, in late May this year. But along with pulling pints and maintaining the stunning 26-acre islet, Aaron also inherited the 170-year-old title of the “King of Piel Island".
And after former monarch Rod Scarr used a sword to make Aaron’s reign official on Saturday (September 3), he now has the power to “knight” those who’ve benefitted the island. Speaking previously about his new position, Aaron admitted he “never thought" he would be selected as the island's only king, which he called his "own slice of heaven".
