BLACKPOOL South MP Gordon Marsden was called to the bar this week - to pull the first parliamentary pint of Blackpool Bitter.

For the new Fylde brew was the toast of the town when it became a guest beer in the House of Commons Strangers Bar.

Blackpool Brewery, the first in the resort for decades, only launched its new tipple last month, and has already found a ready market in pubs and clubs around the Fylde.

Mr Marsden, not averse to the occasional pint himself, described it as "nutty, with quite an earthy taste - I think it will go down very well.

"I think the new brewery's a thoroughly good move for Blackpool, given the amount of beer consumed in the resort and the increasing interest in speciality beers and micro-brews.

"I can only wish them well as an innovative business just taking off which should have benefits for the town."

Brewery consultant Mark Hunter arranged the House of Commons placement through the Small Independent Brewers Association, supplying three 18-gallon barrels which were going down fast in this week's heatwave.

Brewery manager Kean Brown is delighted with the beer's reception so far: "It's been accepted very well," he said, "wherever we've put it in, they've doubled or sometimes trebled their order in the first week."

The carefully researched recipe is tailored to the Fylde Coast's taste for lighter-coloured bitters, and though currently made at a Barnsley brewery, the company hopes to start brewing at its George Street headquarters in November.

For the real ale enthusiast, the beer comes in at four per cent ABV, is a light sandy colour with a slightly bitter tang and a creamy head.

It sells at between £1.35 and £1.50 per pint.

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