Sales of pints of Palmers premium ales have boosted the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance flying fund by more than £6,500. The Bridport brewery donates 5p from the sale of Palmers 200 to the life-saving charity, and this year, the amount raised is £6599.37.

Sales of Palmers beer shot up over the hot weekend and the brewery has added extra brews to keep up with bank holiday demand. Head Brewer Darren Batten said: ‘This has been one of the busiest Easters we can ever remember.

Palmers Brewery is hoping to scoop awards at the South West’s biggest and best beer festival. The Bridport-based brewery has entered four of its finest ales in both the bottled beer and cask ale categories, at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) South West Region Beer Competition 2011, held at Tuckers Maltings in Newton Abbot.

The man hailed by food critics as one of the UK’s most talented seafood chefs has joined a picturesque West Dorset pub to head up a garden-inspired menu. George Marsh, 31, is now Head Chef at the New Inn, in Stoke Abbott.

Palmers Brewery, owners of The Three Cups in Lyme Regis, are undertaking further detailed survey work on the back of the building. Surveyors will be removing overhanging slates on the rear of the property to investigate the fabric of the building beneath.

Licensees at Palmers’ pubs have been rolling out the barrels to make sure they keep their beer in tip-top condition. Palmers invest in Cask Marque accreditation for tenants and top bar staff in all their West Country pubs, offering them the industry-recognised qualification in cellar management.