A CHURCH in Surrey is to repeat its bottle-of-beer swap on Father's Day this year. Men attending St Mark's, Tattenham Corner, in Epsom, Surrey, are being asked to bring their favourite beer for a special service.

After being quizzed by the Vicar, the Revd Des Williamson, about their favourite drink, they will swap their bottle with someone else's to take home.

The idea came after one member of the congregation complained that women were given posies of flowers on Mothering Sunday, but men went home empty-handed on Father's Day.

Mr Williamson said: "We tried it last year [Real Life, 21 June 2013], and it went down really well; so we're running it again this year. We have had some bottles of beer donated by the local Co-op, too, in case anyone turns up without any."

St Mark's is a joint Anglican and Methodist church, and, although some Methodists were teetotal, those attending St Mark's are not, he said.

"We did think seriously about having beer in a service that is aimed at families and children, but we are not encouraging dads to get drunk - just to share something they enjoy.

"In fact, after our trial last year, some of the women complained they wanted more than flowers; so this Mothering Sunday we also gave out Prosecco and chocolate. I'm not sure where this is going to end."