Regulars of the Seven Stars in Falmouth joined landlady Amy Bennetts to celebrate 165 years of her family being in charge of what is the town's oldest pub.

Seven generations of Amy's family have run the pub since great-great-great grandfather, Hugh Dunstan Richards took over the pub that had first opened in 1660. Undoubtedly the best well known of these publicans was Amy's much-loved grandfather, Barrington, who had served almost 60 years behind the bar when he died at Christmas, 2011. He had also been an honorary assistant priest at Falmouth Parish Church.

The Campaign for Real Ale is now investigating whether Amy's family hold the UK record for the longest held association with a pub.

To celebrate the 165th anniversary, Amy invited friends and customers old and new to join her and her dad, Nigel, for an evening of singing, food, beer and wine. "It was an historic moment and we just wanted to mark it," said Amy.

Now 26, Amy has memories of the public going back to her early childhood and new almost from the start that she would one day take over the pub. "I have lovely memories of when I was four-years-old and in pub," she said. "This is where I always wanted to be - this side of the bar and I'd like to be here for 60 years too."

Amy still sometimes finds it difficult to believe her beloved grandfather has gone. "I still think he is going to walk into the bar and look at me with his glasses half way down his nose," she joked.

Over the decades, the little pub tucked away off The Moor piazza has built up a loyal customer base. "We are a dying breed because so many pubs like this have been ripped out and transformed but this one has not changed," said Amy. "We have had a few alterations but nothing massive. It is what it is, and we have done pretty well.

Amy, whose partner Simon Fudge runs the nearby Masons Arms, puts the success of the Seven Stars down to her hardworking staff and her regular customers and while determined not to change the ethos of the pub, she does have a few plans up her sleeve.

In the meantime, she is happy to continue the family tradition. "This is my life," she said. "Sometimes people think it's just a job but for me it's my life. I would not have it any other way."