What started out as a practical joke is turning into a fun tradition for regulars at a pub in Gwinear.
A tiny Buddha figurine that has been a feature in the Royal Standard for years, has recently caught the travel bug after being kidnapped and has now visited three continents.
The 3.5in tall wooden Buddha first went missing just before Christmas and landlord Wayne Berry thought it had been stolen – that is until a postcard from St Michael's Mount turned up.
"It used to sit on the mantle piece above the fire," he said.
"What used to happen is some of the regulars used to move it around and we would find it later. Then it disappeared one evening in November."
A while later, Mr Berry received a parcel in the post containing the Buddha, pictures and a postcard from the tourist attraction near Marazion.
The postcard said: "Having a lovely holiday. Wish you were here. Love Buddha!"
Mr Berry said: "I received postcards and pictures from him and made a big feature out of it in the pub with a whodunit poster and the regulars put on a Santa's beard for mug shots."
Since his first experience of travelling, the little Buddha has visited the south of France, Seattle and Thailand, always sending postcards and pictures back to his family in Gwinear.
He is also due to take a trip to north England later this month.
When Mr Berry and his wife Nicola took over the Royal Standard last July they were hoping to escape city life and concentrate on family life in a proper village pub.
Mr Berry, who's daughters Gypsie, 10 and seven-year-old Roxie and his father-in-law HarveyReader also live in the pub, said that less than a year later the whole family had become acclimatised to village life and have particularly enjoyed the Buddha prank.
"My kids think it is absolutely hilarious," said Mr Berry. "He has been around the world bar Australia, however it would not surprise me if he ended up there as well.
"We like to have a giggle in the pub and a joke. We are all for having a laugh and we are all for doing things for the community so I think it is the community's way of telling us that they appreciate what we do"
The Royal Standard regularly holds fundraising events for local causes including St Julia's Hospice, the school and a nearby nursery.
Upcoming events include a 1970s disco in March and a St George's Day fete in April.
For more information, visit www.theroyalstandardgwinear.co.uk.
