A WORLD-leading newspaper has shone a light on Piel Island following an international search for a new King or Queen.

Veteran Piel Island tour guide John Murphy has provided interviews for news outlets across the UK in the wake of the news that a new landlord for the island's pub, the Ship Inn, was being sought last month.

In December, the former Barrow mayor made an appearance over the airwaves for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), based in Ottawa.

This led to the 73-year-old landing an interview with the prestigious New York Times about Piel Island and its curious tradition of appointing an island 'king' or 'queen' - the title bestowed upon the landlord of the Ship Inn.

He believes part of the island's appeal to far-flung audiences is that it shows the 'absurdity' of English tradition and the English way of life.

Mr Murphy was 'amazed' the article was printed in the 170-year-old newspaper and published online to its millions of readers.

"I've been all over the world and I haven't even left my front room,", the local historian quipped.

"A journalist from the NY Times contacted me about Piel Island and I wanted to keep up the English eccentricity we are known for.

"I tried to keep up a tone of slight absurdity and amusement because it is quite a quirky story.

"I genuinely didn't think the interview would go anywhere then they gave me a quarter of a page spread in the paper which is amazing.

"It's great that this odd job on an odd island is getting so much worldwide attention.

"I feel proud to promote the area. It's great for Barrow.

"It's a lovely story about a lovely place. I'm hoping all this attention about Piel Island has put Barrow, the Lake District and the north of England on the map.

"Barrow specifically deserves to be shone in a positive light.

"I'm so proud of our town and what we have to offer.

"It's about the time it gets the recognition it deserves. For too long now, Barrow has been overlooked as a tourist destination in Cumbria but it has so much to offer."

Last year, Mr Murphy announced he would be retiring from leading walks across Piel Island and passing the baton onto Ben Pinder, a park ranger at Lakeland Holiday Park, near Grange.