Woman visits almost 1,000 Wetherspoons across the UK

Mags Thomson started visiting the pub chain in the 1990s with her late husband Ian

There are 936 branches across the UK (Rex)

A British woman has visited almost 1,000 Wetherspoons, traveling the breadth of the country in an attempt to drink at every single establishment.

Mags Thomson, from Livingston, started the hobby with her husband Ian, a rail enthusiast, in 1994.

"To begin with, it was quite interesting. But it soon got very cold and boring, so I thought I'd have a look around Reading. I came across this pub. I phoned my husband and said: 'Why don't we meet here?’"

Soon the pair were travelling the country, not in search of interesting railway stations and trains but different Wetherspoons. Together, they visited 708 branches – until Mr Thomson’s death in 2010.

Afterwards, Mrs Thomson told the BBC she “lost all confidence” and the carefully annotated book documenting their travels lay forgotten in a draw in the couple’s home.

"But after a while I thought - I can't just sit at home all day. He wouldn't want that."

Since 2012 the 66-year-old started visiting pubs over the country again, and her total is now an impressive 972. Although the chain currently only has 936 branches, Mrs Thomson has visited 80 now-closed pubs.

Wetherspoons, established in 1979, currently has 936 branches but is ever-increasing with 12 new establishments opened between July 2014 and 2015.

Mrs Thomson remains committed to finishing her and her husband’s list, and says visiting the pubs is a way to remember her husband. "I go to new pubs, but I also visit ones where Ian and I went as a couple. It can get emotional."