LANDLORD Ian Blake got so fed up telling would-be guests at The Crown, Stratton St Margaret, that the pub was full, that he persuaded Swindon's Arkell's Brewery to increase the number of bedrooms to 21.

The brewery has now added an extra eight en suite bedrooms and Ian is relieved that he will no longer be turning people down on a regular basis.

He said: "It was getting embarrassing. We worked so hard to promote our bed and breakfast accommodation that we became victims of our own success.

"We've now got seven doubles, two singles and 12 twin rooms, including one suitable for disabled guests as well as two interlinked which can be a family suite."

Over the last three years Arkell's has been restoring and adding letting rooms to many of its pubs, helping to ease the shortage of overnight accommodation in Swindon, especially during the week for the business community.

Managing director James Arkell said: "With people increasingly demanding good quality accommodation at a sensible price, we aim to go some steps further by providing a good pub atmosphere and excellent beer and food."