'HOW much?'

The average price of a pint of bitter in pubs has topped £3 for the first time, a new report has revealed.

Data published by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) showed the average price of a pint rose by 6p over the past year to £3.05, the biggest increase since 2014.

Lager prices increased even more, by 10p to £3.58, another record high.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the BBPA, said: "Our latest Stats Handbook shows that the taxes on UK beer are still a huge cause for concern, and we cannot afford another beer duty hike in the November Budget, if we are to keep a pint in the pub affordable for British beer drinkers.

"However, a wealth of other data, shows that with the right policies, the beer and pub industry, which supports 900,000 jobs, can continue to help grow the economy, creating new jobs and more opportunities for the people who work in our sector."

Meanwhile, the Young's brewery is offering a free pint in its pubs from Thursday to Sunday to mark its 186th birthday.

A spokesman said: "Since 1831, we've been running some of the best neighbourhood pubs, boutique hotels and city bars in London and the south of England.

"No two of our pubs are the same — they reflect the villages, suburbs and city streets around them.

"Thursday, September 21 is our 186th birthday. Come celebrate with us in the pub, we'll even buy the first pint of Young's beer."

To claim a free pint of Young's beer, punters should download the firm's app On Tap, where they will see a voucher for a free pint.

In the South West, Young's runs the Dunstan House Inn in Burnham-on-Sea, as well as pubs in Exeter, Exmouth and Bristol.