A QUIRKY beer mat campaign urging people not to drink and drive will launch tomorrow as Darwen’s first real ale and cider festival gets under way.

Methodist churches in Darwen have produced 1,000 beer mats containing a ‘quick response’ (QR) code which links to a one-minute video and message.

The content of the video has been supplied by some of the Darwen church members and their audio has been combined with relevant images to produce the short films.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FILMS

One of several videos is picked each time the QR code is scanned and each ends with the message ‘Stay Safe, Don’t Drink and Drive’.

The idea came from Methodist circuit minister Deacon Dave Keegan who saw a way to promote the stay safe message while at the same time promoting the Methodist Church in Darwen.

He said: “The run-up to Christmas is an opportunity to celebrate and let your hair down, but we just wanted to remind people to be safe while they do so. We thought this would be a quirky and interesting way to put the message across.”

“We are hoping to add more videos over the festival period to encourage people to scan the mat each time they see it.”

The beer mats have been distributed to the pubs taking part in the beer and cider festival, which runs until December 9.

Those taking part are The Anchor, Alexandra, Hollins Grove Conservative Club, Engineers, British Queen, Millstone, Bridgewater, Bridge Street Social Club, Number 39 Hopstar Brewery Tap, Belgrave, Black Horse, Spinners Arms, Swan, Greenfield and The Park.