IT may just be a drinker’s daydream, along with scooping the lottery jackpot and being irresistible to the opposite sex.

But finally it’s happened, proof that fantasies can come true – a pub serving free beer.

However, as always, there are important limitations to this too-good-to-be-true scenario at one of the Yorkshire Dales’ best known hostelries.

For the King’s Arms, in Askrigg – famous as The Drovers in the BBC series All Creatures Great and Small – was left without a liquor licence following an administrative “cock-up”.

Currently, it is only permitted to sell soft drinks, so regular patrons in need of a pint get their drinks on the house.

The pub is owned by Holiday Property Bond, which runs a neighbouring holiday complex.

Managing director James Boyce said the company had taken control of the pub after the previous tenants went bankrupt.

“There was a cock-up in the licensing which resulted in us not having the correct licence,” he said.

“We had it in the name of the person rather than the building.

“This means we are unable to sell alcohol until the licensing committee meeting on May 18.

“There’s nothing we can do but give away free beer.”

Mr Boyce stressed that only regulars were being given free drinks, although anyone having a meal at the pub could bring their own alcohol without having to pay corkage.

“They’re not pulling pints and pints,” he said.

“It’s just the odd one for the regulars.”

Villagers appeared to be showing restraint yesterday lunchtime, with just one drinker sitting at the bar and a couple having a meal.

One local, who asked not to be named, said villagers were very supportive of the pub.

The regular said the place was not “full of people from far and wide looking for free beer”.

He added: “Nick Vasey (the pub manager) is doing his best to keep things running and honour meal bookings.

“I don’t know the details, but it seems ridiculous that a clerical error can take so long to rectify when the pub has been selling beer for hundreds of years.”