Beer fit for a hero

Peter Arkell is 80 this year

A beer brewed as a tribute to a local war veteran will soon appear in pubs across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

'Moonlight' is James Arkell's tribute to his father, Peter, chairman of 160-year-old Arkell's Brewery in Swindon.

During World War II, flight lieutenant Peter Arkell OBE flew sorties into occupied France to pick up allied spies and resistance fighters during the night.

The brew marks his 80th birthday.

Five thousand bottles of the beer will be distributed to Arkell's pubs in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire over the coming fortnight.

James Arkell, managing director at the brewery, said: "We are all incredibly proud of Peter and his amazing achievements, both during the war - and his sharp business sense which has made the brewery what it is today."