A Staffordshire pub is to host the first World Championship of a game which was invented in the county.

Librium Games has become a popular pastime in pubs in Stafford and Stone since it was introduced by inventor Steve Howe in 2011.

Now the Sun Inn, Stafford, is to host the first Librium Games World Championship on Monday, 26 August.

Described as a game of balance and chaos, Librium can be played by individuals or teams of up to four people.

Steve of Stone came up with the concept after being left with a large consignment of plastic cards two years ago.

“I have always designed things but this is the first time I have come up with a game concept,” said Steve. “I started punching holes in the cards and devising way of linking them together.

“At first, I played Librium at home with my son but it began to take off after old school friend Dave Bott of Titanic Brewery agreed to trial Librium in the company’s Stafford and Stone pubs, the Sun Inn and the Royal Exchange.”

The game spread to other pubs in Stafford and Stone and is now also played in the Lymestone Vaults, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and the Congress, Longton.

Steve has now founded Librium Games Ltd and has a US agent with the aim of forging links with major American games companies, including Hasbro.

Individuals and teams of up to four players will take part in the World Championships on Bank Holiday Monday, 26 August.

There will be cash prizes on offer and money will be raised for Stafford’s Katharine House Hospice through activities on the day.

Potential players should register online in advance via www.libriumgames.co.uk

Dave Bott said: “Librium has really taken off in local pubs and there is a big rivalry between the teams.

“Playing numbers maybe modest at the moment but if  America can host a World Series of Baseball then we are laying claim to the first Librium World Championships.

“It will feature on the final day of the Sun Inn’s Bank Holiday Beer Festival which runs from 23 August. The festival at the Titanic pub in Lichfield Road features live music and 30 cask ales from breweries including Enville, Oakham, Castle Rock and Hawkshead.”

The festival will be hosted in a marquee at the rear of the Sun Inn, while visitors will also be able to choose from 12 cask ales in the pub itself including Titanic Breweries award winning ales.

Kelly Day of Katharine House, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as the charity to benefit from the first Librium world championships and we’re pleased to receive our own Katharine House branded game which I’m sure our Day Therapy patients will enjoy playing.”

ENDS  

 For further information contact Dave Bott at Titanic Brewery on 01782 823477

Notes to Editors:   

Titanic Brewery is named as an affectionate tribute to the fact that Captain Edward Smith, Master of the Titanic, was born in Stoke-on-Trent and all the beers it produces have names with links to the sea or RMS Titanic.

For further information visit the brewery’s website at www.titanicbrewery.co.uk

Titanic Brewery was founded in Burslem in 1985 and has grown to produce 2.3 million pints of fine ale every year. It is owned by Stafford born brothers Keith and Dave Bott. Keith is Chairman of SIBA, the society of independent brewers.