The Laurel Pub Company has slashed prices for leading beers in its 100-outlet Hogshead High Street bar chain.

Stella Artois is now priced at £1.65 a pint in Hogsheads outlets, Beck's and Budweiser are £1.50 a pint and Boddingtons £1.40.

Laurel's chief executive, Ian Payne, said: "It's a late summer offer. We thought we would cut prices and watch what happens. We are only a few days into the trial but early numbers are quite encouraging."

Laurel recently announced a revamp for the Hogshead chain which, if successful, will be rolled out across the estate.

Barracuda's Smith & Jones has also recently adopted a discount beer policy.