A TRAVEL agent is celebrating 25 years of leading a double life.

By day, 56-year-old Jim Cowper wears a sober suit to work in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, but at night he changes into medieval robes to preside over the themed banquets at the nearby Lumley Castle hotel.

On Friday, September 16, the amateur singer will celebrate a quarter of a century in the role of chamberlain at the hotel, where he works up to four nights a week.

He said: "I had to go and audition before I got the part. I started off as the herald and worked my way up to chamberlain.

"I have seen a few changes and lots of people come and go. Both my daughters have been in the cast, so it has become a family tradition.

"It is not like work going to the banquet, I enjoy it so much.