Drinkers will have the chance to devour a monster pint at The Savoy this Halloween as the pub celebrates its 10th beer festival.

Ghouls and goblins, monsters and spooks have taken over the pub in Regent Street, Swindon, for the Monster Beer Festival, and will be in control until next Tuesday.

The pub is serving an amazing array of 32 different beers from across the country to tempt the tastebuds, all priced at £1.49 a pint.

Valerie Docherty, who runs The Savoy, said: "It will be a great opportunity for people to enjoy a wide range of excellent real ales which are not normally available in the area."

The Monster Beer Festival is also a perfect arena for independent breweries to promote themselves alongside more well-known establishments.

However, undoubtedly the strongest beer on offer is Exmoor Beast, with an alcohol volume of 6.6 per cent, from Somerset-based Exmoor Ales Ltd.

Valerie said: "The Beast will only be available on Friday and Saturday night as it's guaranteed to sell out in less than three hours. As soon as we put it on the pump, its gone."

She said some people take their beer festivals very seriously.

"We are selling souvenir glasses, for 99p, and T-shirts, for £3.99, and in the past these have become collector's items," she said. "Some people get very upset if they come in and we've sold out."

Regulars at the Savoy were yesterday clearly relishing the chance to expand their beer palate.

"I can't wait to try the Brains Reverend James", said Johnny George, 75, from Gorse Hill.

Another regular real ale drinker, Ron Watkins, 68, from Park South was drinking Triple FFF Moondance. He said: "The festival is great and the beer is brilliant."

The Savoy will also be serving Monster Hotdogs and Monster Cocktails, including Bloody Monster, Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde.

An added incentive to visit the pub this Halloween is the Dead Film Stars Theme nights tonight and Tuesday when the staff at The Savoy will be decked out as their favourite dead movie icons.

"We have such a good time behind the bar, the festival is more about creating an atmosphere than sales," said Valerie.