THE Metric Martyrs have join-ed forces with Worcester publicans to campaign for the right to sell beer in litres.

The Metric Martyrs Defence Fund, formed following the prosecution of greengrocers who refused to sell in metric, have pledged their support to the Cardinal's Hat, in Friar Street.

Publicans Andrea Schultz and Anton Limlei have been warned by trading standards officers that selling imported Austrian beer in litres is against the law.

"The British public have supported us for freedom of choice and now we've got the same in Worcester," said Neil Herron, campaign director for the Metric Martyrs.

"It's a criminal offence to serve beer by the litre, which is absurd when we have to sell in metric. All they're trying to do is run a business.

"We're going to stand behind Andrea and Anton and help them in any way we can. We're not anti-metric, it's about democracy.

"You have to sell wines and spirits in metric and you're not allowed to sell shandy in pints. Instead, you have to sell it as large and small. What's a large shandy - a pint. It's absurd."

The group has vowed to help the couple, who opened the authentic Austrian bar two months ago, with any legal battle they may face.

"The next step is to turn the screws on trading standards," said Mr Herron, a former Sunderland fishmonger.

"They haven't issued any enforcement notices, just a warning. But this couple are not going to be intimidated by any officials.

"It's unfair that small traders should pay the price. What are they going to do? Fill the prisons with greengrocers, fishmongers and publicans?

"The British public are going to rally around Andrea and Anton. This situation is not fair nor just."

Mr Herron said the Metric Martyrs were still waiting for the outcome of a European Court case regarding the sale of produce solely in metric.