A FAMILY-MADE cider from the depths of the Suffolk countryside is celebrating a right Royal coup.Prince Charles enjoyed a swig of draught Aspall cyder from orchards near Debenham while on a visit to the Dykes End pub in Reach, Cambridgeshire, on Tuesday.

A FAMILY-MADE cider from the depths of the Suffolk countryside is celebrating a right Royal coup.

Prince Charles enjoyed a swig of draught Aspall cyder from orchards near Debenham while on a visit to the Dykes End pub in Reach, Cambridgeshire, on Tuesday.

He is said to have described it as "very nice", and told regulars: "I think that would suit my eldest son very well."

He was meeting with locals who had saved businesses from closing and had a go at darts during the visit.

Pub landlord Simon Owers began stocking the new draught version of Aspall in July and said it had proved "very popular". As a fan of the product, he decided to present it to the prince.

"For one thing it tastes of apples which makes a nice change," he said.

Barry Chevallier Guild, is the eighth generation of his family to be involved in the multi award-winning cider and vinegar making business.

He said: "That sort of thing just makes you feel it's worth carrying on. It's just great from a personal point of view."

The 5.5% draught had been created as an alternative to the 7% bottled variety of Aspall sold in supermarkets. It was introduced into some pubs in collaboration with the Earl Soham Brewery near Framlingham, and last summer the cider company began to supply Adnams breweries.

Now the draught version can be found in around 130 pubs and in certain ones is outselling well-known national brands. It ahs proved so popular that the company has sold three times the volume it expected to.

The drink has become one of the draught selections at the Angel Inn, Debenham.

Barman Bernard Ryan said the Royal tasting was "excellent".

"A lot of people like it. I thought why not stock something local."

The local link was a big selling point at the pub, he explained.

"There was another cider here which hardly sold at all," he said.

"You can say this is a Suffolk cider, it's made two miles up the road – the people like that kind of thing."

Iain Slater said he was a big fan of the bottled variety.

"I love the bottled Aspall cider – it's absolutely fabulous stuff," he said.

Lager drinker Roger Allard tried it out for the first time yesterday .

"It's quite nice really isn't it?" he said. "I think I'm going to change my drink now."

n You too can join Prince Charles and enjoy a glass of Aspall cyder.

The EADT has a case of Aspall dry Suffolk cyder and an Aspall pint glass each to give away to six lucky readers.

To win, simply answer this question: Who is Prince Charles' eldest son? Send your answer to Aspall Cider Competition, Promotions Department, East Anglian Daily Times, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.

The closing date is December 8 and normal EADT competition rules apply.