Something in the Ayres

A Gloucestershire brewery has rewarded two brothers for decades of custom by giving them their own pint glasses.

Swindon-based Arkell's Brewery, which owns the Tavern in Kemble near Cirencester, has just given a glass to Harry Ayres, 85, after presenting one to 94-year-old Arthur Ayres nine years ago. Gordon Ayres, 76, is next in line for the honour.

Managing director James Arkell and his son and fellow director George Arkell visited the pub to pay tribute to Harry Ayres and his brothers.

James said: "The Ayres are some of our most loyal customers, and we are absolutely delighted to be able to thank them personally for their loyalty and custom. These three brothers alone have clocked up more than 200 years between them at the Tavern and pint glasses seemed to be the most appropriate and useful gift we could give."

The Ayres brothers come from a large family with seven brothers and four sisters, and now just five brothers remain alive. Arthur, Harry and Gordon still visit the pub regularly, while their other brothers Howard and Bert live in homes in Cirencester.

Arkell's bought the Tavern in 1946, some years after the brothers first started drinking there.