Pierce Brosnan expected to bid for £600,000 Welsh pub

Pierce Brosnan could soon be swapping his trademark Martini for a traditional pint of Welsh bitter.

The modern face of 007 has been seen on covert operations, gathering intelligence on an historic West Wales pub.

Pierce Brosnan was spotted doing some spying of his own recently - checking out Brown`s Hotel in Laugh- arne, Carmarthenshire, which is up for auction this month.

The hotel is famous as Dylan Thomas`s favoured watering hole, and provided some of the inspiration for characters in Under Milk Wood.

Now it seems Dylan Thomas fanatic Brosnan wants to buy his own slice of history, as landlord Tommy Watts, 72, prepares for retirement.

The Hollywood A-list star is among several celebrities rumoured to be interested in buying the pub, says Mr Watts.

He is a big fan of the Welsh poet`s work and has visited Laugharne on occasions.

"It was good to see him again and he had a good look around, so who knows, he may well turn up on auction day.

"It will be a big day in Laugharne and who knows who we will see."

Brown`s Hotel has welcomed a host of intrigued celebrities into its Victorian bar over the years, including US presidents and Rolling Stones star Mick Jagger.

But Mr Watts will not be star-struck when it comes to choosing a purchaser. "It will go to whoever gives us the best offer, whoever that may be."

Carmarthen auctioneers, Terry Thomas and Company, played down the occasion.

"It would be nice to confirm these rumours, but we will not do so for fear of jeopardising the sale," said a spokesman.

"And even if Mr Brosnan did buy the property, I cannot see him moving from being James Bond to pulling pints behind the bar."

But he added that there is huge interest in the hotel, which is expected to fetch at least £600,000, from big names across the world.

"We have had calls from New York, Vancouver - Dylan is a lot more famous over there. We have not forgotten Dylan Thomas in Wales, but we do tend to take him for granted."

Mr Watts, who knew Thomas personally, added, "A film crew came over from Germany."

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