United in opposition to booze rise

Social clubs - who stood to lose most if the prices were increased - formed a ‘steering committee’ which eventually helped them form their own organisation.

Gerry Eagers, a member of the town’s INF club, said: “If we don’t fight the brewers on this issue, then the price of a pint will go up by four or five pence.”

The storm arose when Bass and Guinness started charging extra for the bottled gas which accompanies kegged beers.

Before this, clubs were not expected to pay for this service and it was seen by many as a back-door method of increasing brewery profits.

Mr Edgars said: “We feel that we are being taken for a ride. Our opinions are never taken into consideration by the breweries, but that will have to change."