East Renfrewshire’s MP is to revolutionise the way he interacts with his constituents...by meeting them for a pint.

Paul Masterton is set to hold a series of pub surgeries across the area later this summer in a unique attempt to connect with those he represents.

The Tory politician has previously reached out to voters by staging meetings at the Soup Stop project at Bourock Parish Church, in Barrhead, and is confident this latest idea will go down a treat.

Mr Masterton said: “The idea is to go where constituents are, so that people who maybe wouldn’t go out their way to come to a regular advice surgery can stop and chat for a little while if they have an issue.

“Pub surgeries are just one of a number of ideas I have and, hopefully, it will be a successful way to see as many people as possible over the summer.”

Mr Masterton’s team has already booked him in for a stint at the Orchard Park Hotel, in Giffnock, on Thursday, August 23, and are hoping to set up similar events at venues in Barrhead and other parts of East Renfrewshire.

Holding meetings in local watering holes is a tactic that has been used successfully elsewhere in the UK.

Similar projects run by Labour politicians in London claim to have vastly increased the number of voters who are engaging with their elected representatives.

The idea is for politicians to go to where their constituents are, instead of waiting for them to make the first move.

Bosses at the Orchard Park Hotel have backed Mr Masterton’s idea as they believe that taking the initiative could pay dividends.

A spokesman said: “Why not have something like this? I’ve got no political leanings myself, so I don’t mind who comes in.

“We are a family-run business that has been here for more than 30 years, so local support is of great importance to us.

“I don’t know that there will be a great number of regulars or others in the bar who venture through to ask some questions but we have held similar events before and there was certainly a decent crowd.”