BRACKNELL'S MP added his pull to a campaign backing the British pub by working a shift behind the bar.

Dr Phillip Lee served punters at the Queen's Oak in Finchampstead as part of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group's "MPs Behind the Bar" initiative aimed at increasing politicians' awareness of the difficulties faced by the trade.

The group aims to promote the wholesome enjoyment of beer and local pubs as an important part of British social, cultural and economic life.

Dr Lee had a lesson in pulling the perfect pint of Brakspear on Friday 13 from landlady of the pub in Church Lane, Dawn Day.

Dr Lee said: "The pub is a great place to meet locals and I will make sure that pubs will continue to thrive at the heart of every community.

"The Queen's Oak here in Finchampstead is a great example of how pubs are all about being part of the community.

"I enjoyed my evening by meeting with the locals and learned how to pull a pint correctly.

"Pubs are hubs of community life, as important to the local social scene as they are to the local economy here in Bracknell." In addition to the Queen's Oak, Dr Lee has worked voluntary shifts in other pubs and finished some of his public question and answer sessions with a trip to a local inn.