SPARKS were flying when landlord Richard Bromwich set about celebrating the summer solstice.

Richard, who is well known for encouraging eccentric traditions, lit up a log fire at Ye Old Sparrowhawk Inn, Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, to mark Midsummer's Day.

And Richard, determined not to let the longest day of the year go unmarked.

So he encouraged his customers to join the fun by appealing to them to research and reveal some Midsummer traditions of their own.

Richard said: "I make a point every year of trying to keep old traditions alive.

"I've done a little research and found that people used to light bonfires on the day to warm up the earth and welcome in the summer.

"So far this year we have been frozen, soaked and blown about.

"Frankly, after all this, summer is something we really should celebrate."