It seems Ukip’s Nigel Farage is not the only politician with an eye for a pint.

Jasper Gerard, the Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Maidstone and the Weald, visited the Musket Brewery at Loddington Farm in Hunton.

As well as showing his support for a local business, it was an opportunity for Mr Gerard to be photographed with the brewery’s co-owner Tony Williams, who was once a constituency agent for Mr Gerard’s political rival, Conservative Helen Grant.

Mr Williams was made redundant from Mrs Grant’s staff after he complained to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority when it emerged that Simon Grant, Mrs Grant’s husband, had altered the terms of his work contract to reduce his sick pay entitlement to two weeks - just as Mr Williams was going off for major heart surgery.

Mr Gerard said: “The Musket Brewery is a thriving new local business and I support the CAMRA campaign to have thriving real ale and community pubs.”

He said: “The success of the Musket Brewery shows that here in Kent, with our tradition of hop-growing, local firms with a good product can thrive.”

The brewery is run by Mr Williams, his wife Linda, and partners Mark and Beccy Stroud.

They supply 115 pubs and clubs, with four different ales.

Mr Williams said: “Talking to Mr Gerard, it is clear he cares passionately about local issues and is well informed about the issues facing the pub and brewing industry.

“We were very pleased to welcome him to the brewery.”

*The candidates in the Maidstone and the Weald constituency are: Jasper Gerard (Lib Dem), Helen Grant (Con), Paul Hobday (NHAP), Robin Kinrade (Ind), Hannah Patton (Green), Eddie Powell (Ukip) and Allen Simpson (Lab)