SUMMER has officially started at Arkell's Brewery, which has not only launched its 2006 Summer Ale, but also radically redesigned the Summer Ale pump clip in the shape of a sunflower.

And brewery managing director James Arkell says the new pump clip is just like the Swindon Town motto of being loud and proud!

"Pump clips are part of bar furniture and new designs are always a good topic of conversation," he said.

"Our new sunflower pump clip brings sunshine into the bar and celebrates the season."

The Swindon brewery is supporting its new pump clips with a sunflower-growing competition, in partnership with Wyevale Garden Centre, which will help judge the sunflowers at the end of the summer.

James said: "The competition is open to all of our landlords or their customers if they want to grow it on the landlord's behalf."

Summer Ale was first brewed in 1994 and was one of the brewery's earliest seasonal ales, launched in response to demands from loyal Arkell's drinkers for a lighter ale suitable for drinking during the summer months. Arkell's Summer Ale is a four per cent alcohol by volume light-coloured beer brewed from specially selected malted barley and continental Styrian Golding hops.