A WINDERMERE ex-pat who landed himself in hospital after he took on a bull at a Spanish fiesta says his days as a toreador are over, reports Lisa Frascarelli.

Karl Hanson, who moved to Spain last year with his wife Mavis, conceded "four legs are faster than four" after he found himself on the sharp end of a bull's temper.

The former owner of Windermere's Stottie Shop had been taking part in a bull run, where people dash across a bar-lined corral and attempt to dodge an angry bull.

"I'd been taking part in the event for four days and on the Saturday night I got a bit too close," he said. "Me being me I decided to make a run for the other side of the fence. But the bull moved faster than I thought, I missed my footing and the next thing I knew it was like I'd been hit by a brick wall."

As Mr Hanson fell the bull turned and gored his leg but he was plucked from the arena by a member of the crowd before the creature could go back for a second helping.

"Luckily I was saved by a gentleman in the audience. I thought there was nothing wrong but when I looked down I'd been gored through to my muscle."

The 45-year-old, who now runs a bed and breakfast in Ubeda Southern Spain with his wife, was rushed to hospital where he had his leg stapled.

Mrs Hanson, who used to run Hands On at the Burnside Hotel's Parklands Country Club, said she doubted her husband would be so willing to enter the ring next year.

"My wife wasn't too impressed, so I was back serving breakfasts the next day," said Mr Hanson, who added: "I think I'll give the bull run a miss next year."