Royal Splice is toast of William and Kate's wedding

Retired aircraft engineer William Hall will have more reason than most to toast Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day next month.

Mr Hall was today revealed as the winner of an Express & Star competition to name a new Banks's brew to commemorate the royal wedding.

His winning name — Royal Splice — was chosen from more than 200 entries and will now be created at the firm's Wolverhampton brewery.

Mr Hall, of Haughton, near Stafford, was rewarded with a VIP tour of Marston's Banks's brewery and visitors' centre, in Bath Road to see production start ready for the big day on April 29.

The 68-year old, who moved to Staffordshire from Luton with wife Carolyn four years ago, helped to make the new beer by pouring the hops into the mix.

The cask beer, which is described as having a light, refreshing, hoppy taste, will be released on April 1 and pubs can register their interest now.

Mr Hall's name will also be included on the pump clip wherever the beer is served as well as on bottles if Banks's decides to release the product in that format. And he has been promised plenty of free samples as part of his prize.

The former Luton Airport worker said he was very proud to think that millions of people in the region could be toasting William and Kate on April 29 with the drink he has named.

He said: "I don't normally enter competitions but I spotted this one in the paper and the light bulb just came on inside my head. I thought everyone gets spliced eventually, so why not call it Royal Splice."

Mr Hall then went out to post the entry in Gnosall, but he lost the envelope on the way to the post office.

"Luckily a good-hearted member of the community must have posted it," he said. "I checked with my postman and he hadn't picked it up so I don't how it got there. But I'm glad it did because it worked out very well."

Banks's marketing manager Joanne Wyck said: "The judges liked Royal Splice because it was original and traditional."

Pubs interested in stocking Bank's Royal Splice can pre-order by calling 08005870773.

Judges were impressed by the high standard of entries. Here are some ideas that caught their eye:

Heir and Grace - from Graham Griffiths, of Manor House Park, Bilbrook, Wolverhampton

I Will - from Carol Moule, Radbourne Drive, Halesowen

Pride of the Realm - Mrs J Ward, Manor Avenue, Great Wyrley

Lovers Tipple - Rob Banks, Dudley Crescent, Wednesfield

Windsor Knot - Carol Reynolds, Petchells Close, Brierley Hill

Windsor Delight - Paula Bawa, Elmsdale, Wightwick, Wolverhampton

Hoppy Ever After - Michael Muller, Thornhill Road, Hednesford

Prince of Ales - Jim Lane, Richardson Drive, Stourbridge

Marston's Middleton Marvel - Linda Woodward, Worcester Road, West Hagley