STAFF of a pub who rolled their trousers up and used bare feet to press grapes and make wine the traditional way found no takers willing to sample the finished product.

But the charity that will benefit from the £100 raised by the event was more grateful.

The manager and staff of The Rose and Crown, High Street, Kings Langley discarded their shoes and socks on Monday, June 3, as part of a grape tread to raise money for a day centre in the village for people with learning disabilities.

Pub manager Mr John Williams said: "We believe in the hands, or should I say feet, on approach at Ember, which is why we thought the grape tread would be a good idea.

"We did promise to wash our feet beforehand but not surprisingly we didn't have any takers on sampling the wine that we made"

Manager of The Waterside Centre, Waterside, Kings Langley, Mrs Theresa Manfield was more appreciative.

She said: "Because we are a local charity it is nice that somebody so close to hand is raising money for us.

"The large charities and national charities are very important but things like this could lead to a nice liaison between our centre and the pub.

"We might be going down there more often."

The money will be put into the fund to provide day-to-day equipment for the centre's activities.

June 17, 2002 16:30