TIMES: MANAGERS of a Corsham pub held a beer festival to celebrate the birth of their first child.

Mark Foster, 30, and his fiance Hayley Gill, 33, licensees of the Hare and Hounds pub in Pickwick, held the beer festival from Thursday until Sunday to celebrate the birth of James, who was born on August 30.

Mr Foster said: "It was a huge success. We were really pleased with the outcome. There was lots of real ale and hundreds of people turned up.

"There were lots of new faces and hopefully lots of new regulars who are pleased with what we have done with the pub and with our choice of real ales."

Their son was born weighing 8lb 15oz after Miss Gill spent 44 hours in labour and had to be transferred from Chippenham Hospital to the Royal United Hospital, Bath.

Mr Foster said: "It was a bit anxious and fraught for all involved.

"James is an absolute angel. He can quite often be seen strapped to dad's chest while I'm working.

"As soon as he can collect glasses he will be one of our best valued employees."

Since the couple took over the pub 18 months ago they have held a number of celebrations at the pub including one when they took the helm.

Now they are planning another beer festival to herald in the New Year.