Sandford cider-maker Thatchers is offering up to £1 million worth of free cider to pubs across the country to help them open their doors once again.

While pubs and bars await news allowing them to re-open, Thatchers is asking them to get in touch so they can provide them with the cider when they welcome drinkers back again.

Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cider-maker at Thatchers, said: "We want to help pubs get back to business after this immensely tough period for them.

"Getting their businesses up and running again in the new normal will be just as challenging. By supporting free-trade pubs across the UK with this pledge, we hope it will really help them financially for when they're able to get the pints pouring once again.

"As an industry we have to pull together and do what we can to help pubs and bars get back on their feet."

Thatchers is asking pubs to fill in an online form at www.thatcherscider.co.uk/thatcherspledge/ to apply for their free cider.