Elliots in Prestwick is a big hit with boxing hero Ricky Hatton

Dec 19 2007 Ayrshire Post

STUNNED punters could hardly believe their eyes when boxing hero Ricky Hatton walked into a Prestwick bar on Friday night.

Fresh from his world title defeat in Las Vegas, the Hitman stopped off at Elliots for dinner and a few drinks with a group of Ayrshire pals.

Still sporting the bruises inflicted by cin last Saturday’s fight, Ricky was given a hero’s welcome by customers and staff.

Elliots boss Colin Blair said: “One of our regular customers wanted to bring him here and we were delighted to welcome him.

“He was very good with the customers and took time to shake many people’s hands who came up to congratulate him for a valiant effort in Las Vegas.”

Ricky and around half a dozen of his mates spent most of the night at Elliots after staff managed to fit in their last-minute request for a table.

Colin added: “Afterwards he sent flowers to Fiona, our receptionist, and Alison, one of our directors, to say thank-you for fitting him in at the last minute.

“We got the phone call out of the blue alerting us that he was coming that day and were delighted to accommodate him at one of Ayrshire’s premier venues.”