IT'S good news for cask ale lovers, as an award-winning cellarman takes over a popular St Albans pub.

Mr Nigel Croft celebrated his first night as landlord of The Garibaldi on Albert Street last Tuesday by offering a free pint of Fuller's London Pride to every punter.

A pub industry veteran of 24 years, Mr Croft's last house was The White Horse in Hertford, where he won the Master Cellarman award.

Mr Croft said: "I am very proud of the way I keep my beer and I think customers at the Garibaldi will notice an improvement. Cask ale needs love and attention and I'm very good at providing both of those things."