A GENEROUS landlord is offering a free pint of real ale to any war veteran who turns up at his pub with their medals on the day before remembrance Sunday.

City financier turned publican Steve Coxshall, who recently took over The Barnsbury, in Liverpool Road, has decided to make the gesture on Saturday November 13 as a way of honouring the contributions of war heroes.

He said: “Pubs are all about the community. You have to give something back.

“When I was working in the City it was all about the money. Now I’m following my passion and Ithought this was a great way to honour our heroes.

“I’ve contacted the Chelsea Pensioners and they are bringing a minibus full of veterans along on the day, but its vitally important that we get our local heroes down as well.”

Mr Coxshall has spent �20,000 doing up the Barnsbury’s cellar in order to hold a rolling stock of real ales. On Wednesday nights he sells real ale for �2 a pint, and the profits go to raise funds for worthy causes.

Proceeds from the war veterans event will go towards the Prostate Cancer Charity, of which he is an ambassador.

The pub also has some celebrity connections. Ex-England rugby international Kyran Bracken is among the regulars, and ex-Eastender and current Strictly Come Dancing contestant Kara Tointon deigned the interior as a sideline to her acting career.

“I love Islington,” he said. “It’s unique to London. There’s such a variety of people, it’s not far from the City but it is truly a community. It is not transient the way other areas can be”