A FAIRFORD butcher is celebrating the Royal Air Force's 100th birthday by making a special batch of sausages that are flavoured with Spitfire ale.

Andrew Butler is creating the celebratory sausages from 100 per cent British beef and will flavour them with Spitfire Ale, in commemoration of both Fairford Festival and the RAF’s history and achievements across the past 100 years.

The ale, known as “the bottle of Britain”, was first brewed in 1990, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and is named in honour of the Spitfire aeroplane whose versatility along with the courage of its pilots was essential to victory.

Andrew said: “When I found out that this year’s festival theme was ‘The Best of British’, I instantly thought of the RAF and British beef!

“The air force’s Centenary seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine British heritage and the country’s love of beef and beer in celebration of the RAF’s continuous hard work.”

The sausages are being made this month, giving them time to mature before the festival, and will be available to purchase from the festival BBQ.

They can also be bought before and after the festival from Andrew’s butchers on Fairford high street for £11 per kg or £4.99 per pound.

Eager to show his appreciation of the RAF, Andrew will also be selling the sausages at Fairford Cricket Club during Fairford Festival on between May 31 and June 3.

Ali Bray, a member of the Air Tattoo’s hospitality team, was invited by Andrew to taste-test the sausages.

Ali said: “Not only do the RAF100 sausages taste great, they link the Royal Air Force with the local community encapsulating the very best of British.

"On the April 1, the RAF celebrated its 100th birthday – throughout the country, the Centenary has been marked by special events, activities and other initiatives at local, regional and national levels running from April to the end of November 2018.

"Key events include the Royal International Air Tattoo, which has been selected by the RAF to stage the international celebration of its Centenary. The event will bring together aircraft from around the world for a global salute to the RAF.

“I am usually working during The Air Tattoo as it is our busiest time of year other than Christmas, but this year I knew that I couldn’t miss out!”