PUB landlords across the Midlands were today raising a glass to the Royal Wedding – with drinkers set to down millions of extra pints to toast the happy couple.

Licensees were rubbing their hands with glee in anticipation of their busiest few days of the year so far, hard on the heels of a sun-drenched Easter.

New figures released by the British Beer and Pub Association show that the industry is set to sell an extra 100 million pints over the 11-day period spanning Easter and the Royal Wedding Bank Holiday weekend.

The one-off holiday booze bonanza follows a difficult few years for the pub sector, with the smoking ban and cheap supermarket alcohol causing a wave of pub closures across the UK.

Richard Matthews, Midland secretary for the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “With an 11-day break, bringing in Easter and the Royal Wedding, the signs are that this is going to be a much needed boost for the industry.

“We estimate that we could be selling an extra 100 million pints more than what would normally be sold over an 11-day period.

“A lot of pubs are doing Royal Wedding breakfasts and some are doing theme menus, such as Steak Royal, Sea Bass Princess, Chicken Windsor and the like.

“Pubs have also got the benefit, if they choose, of 1am closing today and Saturday, which will be an extra couple of hours trading on both nights for many pubs, allowing them to put on parties and events.

“We are looking at the Royal Wedding positively and hope that it kick-starts a decent summer for the industry.

“The smoking ban and rise in beer duty has made beer more expensive for pubs, turning them away and getting them buying in supermarkets.”