It's the brand that's become synonymous with cheap and cheerful food and drink on Britain's high streets.

But in a shock move following the budget this week it looks like the firm might be ramping up the cost of its popular meal deals.

The move is likely to come as a double blow to drinkers who are already likely to be hit by Chancellor Philip Hammond ending a five year freeze on beer duty by slapping an extra 2p on the price of a pint and and 10p on a bottle of wine.

The inflation busting hikes - which add up to nearly 4 per cent in some cases - were unveiled just hours before Mr Hammond announced the tax hikes in his Budget.

Prices vary nationally but the Sunday People understands that its burger and drink deal has risen on average from £7.25 to £7.40 while a chicken burger has jumped from £4.59 to £4.75. A pint of Kronenbourg costing £3.09 is now £3.19.

Wetherspoons was one of the first pub companies to put breakfast on the menu as part of all-day opening as it fought back against the spread of high street coffee chains.

At one bar - in Oxted, Surrey - its breakfast deals have also gone up, with porridge rising from £2.39 to £2.45 and toast from £1.59 to £1.65.

The pub chain, headed by pro Brexit campaigner Tim Martin , prides itself on offering food and drink that is cheaper than its rivals.

But one Wetherspoons customer said: “He thinks we don’t notice but he slips these increases in several times a year disguised as a ‘new menu’.

“Ten pence on the price of a pint of Kronenbourg and the other lagers plus a few pence on everything on the food menu all adds up.

“They’ve put some balloons up to celebrate the release of the new menu but in reality we’re paying for them.”

Wetherspoons, with more than 900 pubs, angered some customers last year when it stopped serving Sunday roast. It said the move would allow pubs to concentrate on its all day menu, including breakfasts and gourmet burgers.

Wetherspoons spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We have introduced a new menu with some new products and there maybe some changes on food and drink prices.

“We aim to remain extremely competitive. However we will not comment on individual prices.”