More than 7,000 people have called for a national annual holiday to toast the birth of Guinness, it was revealed today.

Hip hop favourites Black Eyed Peas and rockers Kasabian are among music stars lining up for a clutch of global concerts to toast 250 years of Guinness this autumn, it was revealed today.

Guinness is expected to brew a special anniversary stout to mark its 250th birthday next year, it emerged today.

More than 400 Irish farmers today protested outside the historic Dublin headquarters of Guinness over prices they are receiving for malting barley.