Wolverhampton-based Marston’s saw an extra million pints of Pedigree beer sunk during the Ashes thanks to its sponsorship deal with the England cricket team, it was revealed today.

The brewer and pub operator saw sales rocket during the five-match showdown between England and Australia. Marston’s, with a headquarters in Brewery Road, Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, has sponsored the national side for three years. In May the brewer signed a two-year extension to the deal to take it up to 2011.

The deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) allows Marston’s to advertise at international matches and use England players and imagery in its marketing.

Marston’s also saw its special Ashes Ale, a special seasonal tipple for June and July, sell more than 350,000 pints over the eight-week period.

Marston’s marketing manager Des Gallagher said that the company was a “passionate supporter” of the national side.

The sponsorship helped to maintain the profile of the company during the recession, during which breweries and pubs have seen trade generally fall.

Mr Gallagher said: “Our faith and loyalty have been rewarded not, only with a historic victory, but with the knowledge that more cricket fans than ever before have chosen Pedigree to accompany the world-class action.”

Martston’s sells 41 million pints of 4.5 per cent Pedigree a year, brewing it in Burton upon Trent.

The ECB also has sponsorship deals with LV for the County Championship and Betfair as its official betting partner.

England reclaimed cricket’s biggest prize on Sunday after securing a 197-run win over Australia.

The victory sparked joyous scenes in pubs, bars and living rooms across the county as the tension from the nail-biting five-match series was finally released.

Marston’s admitted recently it was working in “very testing conditions”.

The firm added it expected its costs relating to food, energy and brewing materials were set to increase by around £12 million this year.