AN unusual use was found for beer back in 1961 - to help put out a fire at a Furness pub.

The Mail, on December 18 in 1961, noted: "For the first time in his life Robert Anderson, landlord of the Castle Hotel, Walney, mixed beer and water yesterday, but it was only to put out a fire in his new bar, known as the Bosun's Cabin.

"Some of the 40 customers in the new bar threw their pints of beer on the blaze while Mr Anderson weighed in with buckets of water after a stove had burst into flames.

"Shortly before closing time a customer saw smoke pouring from the gleaming new stainless steel Swedish stove.

"A pipe leads up from the stove through the wooden ceiling.

"This and stove fittings were damaged as the smouldering turned to a sudden blaze."

The customers might not have been so keen to pour their drinks on the flames in 1963 - when some breweries put up their prices.

The Mail, on October 22 noted: "Beer will go up by a penny a pint on Monday in the public houses and clubs of Workington Brewery.

"The company has about 120 public houses in the Furness district, Cumberland and southern Scotland."

John Peel Old Ale saw a rise of two pence - taking the recommended price to a shilling and four pence (7p).

"Despite the efforts of Mr Anderson and his customers, it took Barrow Fire Brigade to apply the finishing touches and put out the fire."

Getting a pint in Kirksanton, near Millom, got more difficult in 1961 when the King William IV Hotel decided not to serve drinks on Tuesdays.

Landlord Charlie Barrett put a "Closed on Tuesdays" sign outside the building and said the move was due to a lack of trade.

He told The Mail on January 20: "There is no requirement for drinks on Tuesdays and not much for drinks on other weekdays as well.

"Many other licensees would probably like to close down for one day a week but they are afraid the man across the street will get their trade. He is welcome to mine.

"The nearest public house is at Silecroft, a mile away."