THE Old Ale House in Salisbury has come up with a special cocktail to fend off winter chills and raise money for the Wiltshire Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter campaign.

The pub, in Crane Street, has devised a Winter Warmer cocktail featuring Polish vodka, spices and apple juice and will be donating £1 from every one it sells to the fund, which gives £300 grants to people in fuel poverty across the county.

Every year in Wiltshire 300 older people die of cold-related illnesses and since 2010 the Wiltshire Community Foundation has been running the campaign to help tackle the issue.

Old Ale House general manager Kata Dobak, 33, said the pub is keen to support local causes. “We all have to work together to help each other and this is a great opportunity to support such a great cause,” she said.

“We made these cocktails last year and they were very popular. They are lovely and warming and they are good alternative to mulled wine or cider because they aren’t as sweet. They taste a bit like hot apple pie.

“We hope people come in and try them so we can help the community foundation help lots of people this winter.”

The South West has the UK’s highest rate of fuel poverty – those who cannot afford to spend the average amount needed to heat their homes. Across the region the National Office of Statistics says 11.4 per cent of homes live in fuel poverty. But the same statistics say that there are pockets of Wiltshire where up to 36 per cent of households fall into that bracket.

Villages around the Salisbury Plain are seen as the most vulnerable in a county that considers itself well off.

Last year the foundation raised more than £77,000 to help 403 individuals in 265 households.

WCF director of development and marketing Fiona Oliver said: “The majority of people who suffer premature winter-related death are aged over 65, and 75 per cent of these deaths are due to the impact that cold has on respiratory and circulatory conditions.

“We are so grateful to the Old Ale House for supporting our Surviving Winter campaign, it is commendable that community-minded businesses like this are backing us.”

The Old Ale House has been open for two years and has a track record of helping charities as part of its community ethos.

The pub also has a fundraising night for the Stars Appeal on October 27, with music, special offers and a raffle.

Ms Dobak said: “We see the pub as a home from home for all ages and supporting charities is all part of that.”

To find out more about Surviving Winter or to donate to the campaign go to wiltshirecf.org.uk.