Pubs ready to do St George proud

Pubs are gearing up for a bumper St George's Day this coming Monday.

Licensees across the nation are planning to make St George the patron saint of the pub with a host of events and activities, culminating in a toast to the saint at 10.45pm on Monday.

John Ellis, of the Crown Inn in Oakengates, Shropshire

has celebrated St George's Day for the last 12 years and be-lieves it is too good an opportunity for pubs to miss out on.

"Everybody in the pub world should be grasping this opportunity - you're daft if you don't," said Ellis. "We have a weekend of celebrations planned. We have decked the pub out in flags and everyone wearing a red rose gets a 10p discount off every pint of special St George's day ales such as Hook Norton's 303AD."

Jane McFarlane, Charles Wells tenant at the Ashwell Arms in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, has covered the outside of her pub in flags. "We will have a disco on the Sunday - we always try to do something for St George."

Wells and Young's is offering a £1,000 prize to the drinker who toasts St George in the most unusual place in the country. As well as the cash prize, the winner will receive a uniquely-crafted, three-inch diameter silver medal and a certificate for choosing the most imaginative location to toast the saint at 10.45pm on his special day.

To enter, send a photograph of you performing your toast with Wells Bombardier, plus a written description (no longer than 50 words) of what you did, and where you did it, to: Wells Bombardier Toast Competition, St George's Day 2007, The Office, 21 Coverdale, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 8TD. Closing date is 28 April. See www.celebratestgeorgesday.com for terms and conditions.