Every day for 10 years a retired couple have travelled 60 miles from Bristol and back for fish-and-chip lunches and a stroll on Weston-super- Mare's Grand Pier.

Their routine was upset on the day last month when the pier's iconic pavilion burned down – but that disaster has not ruined their love affair with the resort.

Each morning Ermis and Androniki Nicholas still catch two buses to the Somerset resort and enjoy a walk along the promenade.

They tuck into fish and chips before enjoying a wander along the part of the pier which remains open.

Then they start their journey home at 4.30pm.

The Cyprus-born couple started visiting the resort in 1998 when Ermis, 71, suffered a near-fatal heart attack and doctors advised him to take a daily walk.

Over the last decade they have visited the resort a staggering 2,600 times, covered 156,000 miles and spent a wallet-busting £18,200 on fish and chips.

Former restaurant owner Ermis said: ''We love visiting Weston, it's a wonderful place but it has got to the point where it has become a bit of an addiction.

''But it's only because we enjoy going there so much. We've have made some fantastic friends over the years who have become like a second family to us. Everyone is so friendly, I think it is the best place in the world."

The elderly couple leave their home at 9am every weekday to catch the number 36 bus to Bristol central bus station before jumping on the X1 to Weston at 9.30am.

When they arrive they have coffee before enjoying a stroll around the town centre.

The pensioners then tuck into their fish and chips at various seaside restaurants and round off the day with a trip along the pier before they catch the bus home.

Ermis, a father-of-three says the daily trip to Weston has transformed his life.

''I was given little chance of surviving after I suffered my heart attack but I knew what was wrong with me. I had a belly so big I could balance a pint on it so I knew I needed a change.

''They had me taking nine tablets every day but those weren't helping me so I stopped taking them and started walking instead.

"That was 10 years ago and I have never looked back."

Fresh air obviously did the trick for Ermis who has dropped from nearly 19 stone down to 12 stone – and he claims he has never felt better.

''If anyone is recovering from a heart attack I would urge them to get out in the fresh air and do some walking.

''At first I could only stroll a few yards with the help of my wife but I now walk around six miles every day and feel fantastic." He added: "My grandfather lived until he was 101 and I'm aiming to live even longer."

His wife Androniki, 65, said: ''The walks have given my husband a new lease of life.

"It's amazing to see him so fit and healthy. We owe a big debt to Weston.

"All our friends were very sad when we heard about the fire.

"We come down every day and the only time I miss it is when I have to do my spring cleaning.

"We chat to all the pensioners who come down on the bus.

"We never have a dull moment, there is always something to see.

"We eat lots of different things, not just fish and chips.

"We have toast, teacakes, sausages, cottage pie and chicken curry.

"I think we have worked our way through the menu several times."