Ref. 25972Arkell's Kingsdown ale is a beer of which Swindon is rightly proud. It has a dark, rich colour, tantalising fruitiness and enticing aroma.

But now the town's real ale lovers have been told it is too good for them.

Writing in the Yorkshire Evening Post, beer critic Simon Jenkins heaps praise on what he calls a truly excellent brew.

"The mellow, sweet aftertaste fades slowly away, leaving you wanting lots, lots more," he says.

But, under the headline, Far too good for Swindon, he writes: "Swindon does not deserve a beer so fine as this."

He says his barbed comments are provoked by his affection for Swindon Town Football Club's long-standing soccer rivals Oxford United.

Because of his support for Oxford, he writes: "I have a natural inclination to detest anything from Swindon."

Arkell's has supplied the town with beer since 1843 and has a special place in the hearts, and on the palates of Swindonians. Simon's remarks provoked a swift response from beer drinkers.

Mayor Derek Benfield said a pint of Kingsdown is the ideal way to wind down after a busy day.

He said: "Arkell's beer is the best you can get, and the people of Swindon deserve nothing but the best.

"Swindon folk are the most warm and generous people you could wish to meet, and they thoroughly deserve a good beer."

James Arkell, the manager of the family-run brewery, which celebrated its 160th anniversary with a beer festival in September, said: "Although we're delighted that Yorkshire people have discovered our delicious Kingsdown ale, of which we're very proud, we can't agree with them that Swindon isn't worthy of our beer.

"From the thirsty workers in the hot Great Western Railway engine sheds to the shopfloor and office workers in industries around Swindon today, they deserve the best beer we can brew."

Speaking to the Evening Advertiser, Mr Jenkins stressed that his comments were only based on his support for Oxford, and that he was not one of Swindon's many critics.

He said: "I have a mate who lives in Swindon, and have been there a couple of times. It's a decent place, and as good as anywhere else.

"However, I do support Oxford United, so I naturally hate Swindon."

Simon has been tracing his family tree, and he added he has just discovered some of his relatives lived in Stratton.

Civic leaders in Swindon often find themselves having to defend the town. In October, Reading-based radio DJ Guy Harris provoked criticism when he said the town as full of inbreds.