A COUPLE have won a dray of beer – more than 13,000 pints – after their pub pulled no punches to win a prestigious award.

The Bell at Kesgrave beat off stiff competition from more than 4,800 pubs across the country to be named the Summer of Our Lives by Punch Taverns.

Judges were impressed with the array of events Debbie and Sam McCallum have put on at the pub including Diamond Jubilee celebrations with a tiara party, a right royal karaoke, a jubilee big lunch and a bring your own boat regatta.

Judge David Hawbrook said: “They are positive people and recognise the need to put something on to encourage people to visit and stay at The Bell.

“The community involvement was also very apparent with links to a number of annual local events which they are active in helping organise.”

In recognition of their honour, Mr and Mrs McCallum won a dray of beer equating to more than 13,000 pints.

The couple had to put together a detailed business plan for the summer covering every event in the calendar including the Olympic Games for which Mrs McCallum is a torch bearer for the torch relay.

Mr Hawbrook added: “It was an incredibly difficult decision to make when it came to the winner as there were some amazing examples of innovation and ingenuity. But the Bell stood out as a pub which had planned for the summer, engaging the staff and the community and really creating a buzz around everything they were doing.”