Man becomes King of remote island and has official coronation with beer

Piel Island sits half a mile off the Furness coast in Cumbria, featuring approximately 26 acres of land, a 900-year-old ruined motte and bailey castle, and eight privately owned cottages.

But perhaps most important of all is the pub, named The Ship Inn, as anyone who takes over as landlord also becomes the king of the island.

Electrician Aaron Sanderson beat out competition from around 200 other applicants to win the 170-year-old title.

Meanwhile, former monarch Rod Scarr used a sword to make Aaron’s reign official on Saturday (3 September).

Alongside pulling pints and maintaining the area, Aaron has the power to 'knight' anyone he believes to have benefited the island.

Speaking previously about his new position, Aaron said: "I never thought I’d be king of an island. I didn’t even think that last year. I just thought, 'I could do that, I’ll put in for it, and then I got it'.

"Then there was a period of a few months where I thought, 'Oh bloody hell. I’ve just taken over an island. What have I done?'

"But in the mornings, I’ll sit out the front having a brew, and it’s like your own little slice of heaven. It really is something else when there’s nobody else here.

"And obviously, when there are people around you, and you’re just having a good time and good laugh with your friends, that’s great too."

Aaron continued: "If I can put my own stamp on the place, then fingers crossed, everything works out well, and I can enjoy myself for the next ten years."

The new King of Piel had been working as an electrical team leader at BAE Systems Submarines when he applied for the position after it was advertised by Barrow Borough Council last year.

Duties include taking on the ten-year lease of its famous pub and maintaining the remarkable island habitat.

While Aaron, from Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness, has no experience of working in pubs, he's put his skills as an electrician to good use by managing the boozer's fuel-powered generator.

He added: "I was camping here when I was a kid, and I’ve been a regular visitor to the place for such a long time - for as long as I can remember."

With such a rich history and unique premise, plenty of visitors travel to the island by ferry or walk over at low tide each year, where they can pitch a tent for just £5 per night.

"Getting everything over here is hard work, as you’re not just looking after a pub, you’re looking after an entire island," added Aaron.

"I understand the tides, and the weather plays a dramatic part in it, but basically, the logistics of getting things here is just the biggest thing.

"We also have periods where there are no ferries and nobody here, and there are instances where you won’t be able to get off - you’ve just got to be prepared for that.

"It has happened in the past, where people are over for a day, and you just have to put them up until the weather sorts itself out."