THIEVES who stole a barrel of beer from a Hampshire pub are today being warned by police that it could make them violently ill if they drink it.

Burglars stole the faulty cask of London Pride ale from the rear yard of the Old Ship pub in Marine Parade East, Lee-on-the-Solent.

The ale, in a nine gallon chrome cask with the London Pride logo on it, had been left outside for four days to be collected by the brewery because it was faulty.

PC Julia Cobb, of Hampshire police, said: ''This beer had been left out in the elements for four days so by the time it was stolen it would not have been fit to drink.

''The yeast would have started to ferment and it's possible that flies would have collected in the barrel.

''Anyone who drinks this beer is likely to suffer stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea.

''It is possible that whoever stole the beer has already started drinking it and will already be feeling quite ill.''