'Probably the fastest lager in the world'

Carlsberg is about to claim that its beer is probably the "fastest" lager in the world.

Today the Danish-owned brewing giant unveiled a multi-million pound relaunch of its leading brands, including moves to reduce the pouring time of a pint of lager to 14 seconds.

It is spending £28 million on redesigned cans and bottles - with more gold on the label - and new taps to produce a creamier head on a pint.

Carlsberg-Tetley is also investing £10 million in its Northampton brewery to improve efficiency and capacity.

Chief executive Colin Povey said technology improvements would cut seconds off the time it takes to pour a pint.

That may prove good news for thirsty MPs - who drank 18,840 pints of Carlsberg in House of Commons bars last year.

Combined sales of Carlsberg and Carlsberg Export were up by 11 per cent last year in Britain, Mr Povey said, adding: "It is important that we push on and further strengthen our brands and build on this momentum."

The company said the relaunch will include continued sponsorship of the England soccer team, as one of the FA's five sponsor "partners".

? Danish police who stopped a 43-year-old moped rider discovered he had the highest concentration of alcohol found in a road user - over seven times the legal limit - after he admitted drinking 65 bottles of Carlsberg before setting out on his journey home just before Christmas.