A weekly newspaper is celebrating its second birthday with the launch of a new beer in its name.

Stroud Life, which was born on 12 March 2008, has teamed up with the Stroud Brewery to brew the new 4pc ale which will act as the symbol of its forthcoming ‘Save Our Local’ campaign to be launched next month.

Claimed to be a first for a UK newspaper, the first pulled pints of Stroud Life were enjoyed by five local parliamentary candidates, several publicans and the Campaign for Real Ale.

The Northcliffe weekly said that the brew is a “light, malty, amber ale with a zesty hop aroma” which will be on sale at three pubs in the Gloucestershire town.

Editor Jason Chare said: “Many of the pubs in the Five Valleys are struggling to make ends meet as they face ever increasing taxes and, for some, rent hikes.

“The public smoking ban, while welcomed by most people who were fed up with breathing in second-hand smoke while enjoying a pint or meal, has also taken a hefty toll on our pubs.

“The supermarkets have taken advantage of this by offering knockdown prices on beers, ciders, wines and spirits to encourage more of us to drink at home.

“The effect? Pubs are closing, at least ten in the past five years in the Stroud district.

“In many of our villages the pub is the only ‘community’ facility for miles around.

“It provides a hub, a meeting place where people of all ages can get together from time to time to chat and unwind and it can be a rallying point in the event of an emergency.”

Jason (left) with Stroud Brewery owner Greg Pilley