We had you fooled!

Apr 2 2009 by Alison Rennie, Paisley Daily Express

PAISLEY Daily Express readers proved they have a great sense of humour after they were duped by not one, but our TWO April Fool stories yesterday.

And many laughed out loud when we told them it was all a big joke.

We told how organisers of Paisley Beer festival had decided to serve all non-alcoholic beer at the upcoming event and the first 10 people to call us could get a free pint of Frollo IPA produced by Kelburn Brewery.

The first call for the free pint offer came in at 8.35am.

John Burgess, 35, a regular at the event in the Town Hall said: “I thought it was a great idea. I was going along anyway and was curious to taste the new brew.

“I’ve been had. I’m going to tell my mate I got a pint and get him to call in so I’m not the only one that looks daft.”

Another red-faced caller said: “Oh no. I’ve been done here. I can’t believe I fell for it but it was a convincing April Fool.”

By 10am we had been inundated by calls from tipplers hoping to save some money.

And the story we cooked up with our game-for-a-laugh friends at Braehead shopping centre took the biscuit – or should that be cake.

One puzzled shopper called as early as 8.20am to say: “I was out at Sainsbury’s in Braehead last night and couldn’t see any cake. Could you tell me where it is exactly so that I can have a look.”

Another angry reader called to blast the thieves who were wrecking the fictitious bid to get into the Guinness Book of Records.

Fred McGinn, 56, from Renfrew, said: “Can these idiots leave nothing alone? It’s great Braehead is going for a record and it will bring some good publicity to the town and these neds have to spoil it.”

We promised Mr McGinn a piece of cake after he took our second April Fool story in good tatse.

He added: “I think I should get a big cream cake for being the first to fall for your story. It really had me worked up and I’m just happy it wasn’t true.”

A spokesperson for the Beer Festival said: We hope Buddies weren’t too offended by our sense of humour.

“There will of course be plenty of alcoholic beers to try at this year’s festival, as usual, and we hope the people of Paisley will still come along and enjoy everything the event has to offer.”

This year’s four-day festival will be held at Paisley Town Hall from Wednesday, April 29, until Saturday, May 2

As has been the case for the last several years, CAMRA Renfrewshire will be raising money for the charity, Myeloma UK. Staff will be dressing up as Paisley Pirates this year and collecting cash for this very worthwhile cause.

Entry costs £5 (£3 concession on Wed/Thurs) and includes a festival glass and program. Bringing the glass back allows for free re-entry on subsequent days.