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The European Union is set to confirm it has abandoned what became one of its most unpopular policies among many people in Britain.
It is proposing to allow the UK to continue using pounds, miles and pints as units of measurement indefinitely.
The European Commission will announce later it is leaving all future decisions to the British government.
The decision is a victory for supporters of the ancient imperial system, the so-called "metric martyrs".
Beer and milk
The UK had been due to set a date for phasing out all its imperial measurements within three years.
This would have meant setting a deadline for ending the traditional delivery of pints of milk - and the sale of pints of beer in Britain's pubs.
Every one of Britain's road signs would have had to be changed from miles to kilometres - a move which opponents warned would be both expensive and confusing.
But it was the move, begun in 2000, to make Britain's market traders sell their produce in kilograms rather than pounds and ounces which caused outrage among traditionalists.
Sunderland grocer Steve Thorburn inspired the so-called Metric Martyr movement with his defiance of the order to abandon the imperial measurements.
In 2001 his scales were confiscated and he earned a criminal conviction for selling a pound of bananas from his market stall.
He died unexpectedly from a heart attack three years ago - but it appears the campaign he founded has finally succeeded.
In future market traders will be allowed to show both metric and imperial prices for their goods.
Under the plans which have now been scrapped, even displaying the price of fruit and vegetables in pounds and ounces would have been grounds for a criminal prosecution.
The decision to back down was made by the European Commission's industry commissioner Gunter Verheugen.
His role includes trying to improve the EU's reputation in member states - and in an interview with the BBC, he admitted the EU had been making itself unpopular on an issue that didn't really matter.
"I organised a huge consultation, and the result was that industry told us there was no problem with the existing system.
"I want to bring to an end a bitter, bitter battle that has lasted for decades and which in my view is completely pointless. We're bringing this battle to an end."
Britain first mooted plans to convert to an all-metric system in 1965.
That led to generations of schoolchildren being promised that they would be the last ones who would have to learn two different systems.
I always thought the Demi (not Moore) was a much better way to enjoy a beer than a pint.
Doesn't linger around long enough for the beer to get warm and easily sinkable in one long pull for that "first drink of the day" quench.
Originally posted by Docker:
I always thought the Demi (not Moore) was a much better way to enjoy a beer than a pint.
Doesn't linger around long enough for the beer to get warm and easily sinkable in one long pull for that "first drink of the day" quench.
no! you couldnt be more wrong. a pint is the greatest measurement on earth. perfect size so you can have a big gulp to start with and then theres plenty left to keep you busy for a while.
Originally posted by Swindon_Jimbo:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by Docker:
I always thought the Demi (not Moore) was a much better way to enjoy a beer than a pint.
Doesn't linger around long enough for the beer to get warm and easily sinkable in one long pull for that "first drink of the day" quench.
no! you couldnt be more wrong. a pint is the greatest measurement on earth. perfect size so you can have a big gulp to start with and then theres plenty left to keep you busy for a while. </BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm guessing trendy media types like Docker do wine bars rather than pubs anyway.
Wine bars are for w@nkers.
Although if my drink doesn't come with a slice of lime in it, I'm liable to get very very ANGRY!!
Btw I find that the latter end of a pint is really warm and grim and a trial to drink.
Smaller measures and served much colder (as on the continent) is a much better way of getting a full and enjoyable beer.
Originally posted by Docker:
Wine bars are for w@nkers.
Although if my drink doesn't come with a slice of lime in it, I'm liable to get very very ANGRY!!
Btw I find that the latter end of a pint is really warm and grim and a trial to drink.
Smaller measures and served much colder (as on the continent) is a much better way of getting a full and enjoyable beer.
]
You don't have to finish the drink if the latter end is so awful.
Overall, the most sense to come out of the EU for some time.
if your pint of beer goes warm & flat by the time you get to the final third then you're clearly drinking like a girl and would be better off with a white wine spritzer (small ofc).
Back off Brussels 
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