Like pubs and bars across the country, the St Dunstan Inn is closed for now and faces an uncertain future.

The pub, which is based in the village of Langley, near Macclesfield, has joined Save Pub Life scheme created by the Budweiser Brewing Group in which their regulars can buy gift cards to help through this difficult period.

Sarah Cantlie, who runs the St Dunstan Inn with her husband William, told Nub News: "They're offering to match up to £1,000 of vouchers that are bought which means we can pay our bills.

"It costs quite a lot of money to maintain a pub, the utility bills are quite high; the same goes for anyone who's got a business premises. This gives us that little bit extra to help with all of those things."

Regulars can buy an online gift card – from £10 – £100 – to use when it reopens and Budweiser will match that spend straight away so the pub gets double the amount, even though its closed.

Mrs Cantlie said: "When my business relations manager gave me a link to sign up for the scheme we thought it was an opportunity that we couldn't not take part in.

"We've had quite a lot of support from our local community and they're all really looking forward to coming back in and spending their vouchers. We're obviously benefitting from the fact they've bought their vouchers now and are able to keep things going."

The landlady said that her regulars have already bought around £1,000 worth of gift cards, meaning it's likely to be a busy opening night once restrictions are lifted.

The St Dunstan Inn is the first Macclesfield pub to take part in the scheme. If others want to take part, they are advised to sign up soon as there is an overall limit of £500,000 being matched by the famous beer company.

Pub goers can also nominate their favourite watering hole for the scheme on the Save Pub Life website.