COMEDY is the decorative theme of the Eagle, a large pub opposite the Eagle Pond at Snaresbrook.

The walls are lined with postcards by Donald McGill and his imitators. For the uninitiated, McGill was an outwardly respectable Victorian gentleman who spent virtually the whole of his life creating colour-washed drawings which were reproduced as postcards and sold in millions from 1904 until the mid-1960s. McGill was, and remains, 'the king of the saucy postcard', still collected and appreciated today for his artistic skill, power of social observation and rumbustious humour.

Beryl Cook, who represents a more respectable line of descent, is also well represented. Besides the cartoons are the comedians with photographs of people like Tommy Cooper, John Cleese and Benny Hill. Other comedians like Tony Blair, Ken Livingstone and William Hague are portrayed in china.

The pub originated as staging inn for coach travellers to London in the 18th century but there is not much sign of that now. I remember it as a fairly comfortable venue about 20 years ago, then it became brash and young with no beer and now it is a Toby Carvery.

Whilst it is full of railings and knick-knacks which I suspect have been produced by computer driven lathes and whilst the 'open' fires are phoney and some of the space dividers are annoying this pub provides a very pleasant environment.

Food is a very important element of the trade here but, unlike the Castle up the road, this place welcomes the drinker not only with its range but by the generous seating area provided. Although my team didn't sample the food on this occasion, I know that Grubwatch visited last September with the verdict that, " Overall, the meal was wonderful, if somewhat limited."

The beer, served by very cheerful staff, was quite expensive at £2.45 but well kept. There were white wines stored in beautiful ceramic cooling troughs on the bar but unfortunately there was no ice in them.

This isn't the kind of pub you would want to drift along to on a winter evening to read your paper or a book. It lacks character. It's the sort of place where you could go with a group of friends and indulge in a bit of banter without the fear of disturbing anyone.

On the whole, impressive.