Bells ring for two Brewers

Keith and Vanessa Brewer will celebrate 20 years at Alderminster's Bell pub in Warwickshire this April.

And their achievement is no mean feat - transforming a tired inn into an award-winning gastropub that has become one of the most popular in the county.

The Brewers opened the Bell on 27 April 1987 - and to mark this special anniversary, a menu originating from that year will be featured at the busy pub throughout April.

Many similarities remain between today's menu and the one dating back to 1987, which is perhaps testament to the pub's success. The greatest change, however, is reflected in the prices.

Customers will see how much they would have paid for their meal 20 years ago on special menus created to mark the occasion.

The Bell will also be displaying memorabilia from the last 20 years, including hand-crafted posters and banners used to advertise its special themed and festival nights.

Looking back over the last two decades of business, the Brewers claim that their greatest highlight and honour was the opportunity to serve tea for Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip at Stratford Town Hall on 8 November 1996, to celebrate the town's 800th birthday.

Another particular highlight was when The Bell was featured on ITV's Heart of the Country programme after taking the unusual step of introducing opera to a pub.