Bombardier's Bonfire Night campaign: 'You've got the wrong Guy'

Bombardier English premium bitter has embarked on a crusade to prove that Guy Fawkes is innocent.

The flagship brand from Charles Wells, which is already associated heavily with St George's Day in April, has now set its sights on Bonfire Night in an attempt to raise sales of the beer during the latter half of the year.

Having discreetly started the Bonfire Night campaign last year with paper point-of-sale in pubs in the Charles Wells estate as well as multiple retail partners, Bombardier is expanding the scheme with adverts in the national press that champion the cause of Guy Fawkes.

The brand is hoping to rename November 5 as Robert Catesby Night with a "You've got the wrong Guy" theme which tells the story of Guy Fawkes in a wholly new light and points the finger firmly at his accomplice Robert Catesby as the mastermind of the failed gunpowder plot.

A spokesperson for Charles Wells said: "Guy Fawkes was only one of 13 conspirators involved in the plot and over the years he has become the most notorious, shouldering much of the blame, when in fact it was Robert Catesby who was the leader, mastermind and driving force behind it all.

"Bombardier English premium bitter therefore claims that we should be calling November 5 Robert Catesby Night and asking for a penny for the Bob!"

To accompany the promotion, posters, bunting, drip mats and tent cards are going to be distributed as well as "You've got the wrong Guy" stickers which the customer can claim with every purchase of a pint.

A bespoke website where customers can pledge their support for Guy at www.bombardier.co.uk/guyfawkes has also been set up.