PINT glasses are set to become a thing of the past in Oxford’s pubs as they succumb to an invasion of German-style ‘steins’ to woo tourists, it emerged today.

Oxford members of Landlords in England will be the first in the country to abandon traditional pint pots in favour of the heavyweight metric mugs.

The end to the traditional British measure has brought fears of a price hike, as a litre is smaller than two pints.

Ale fans are worried brewers may try to take advantge of confusion over the change to increase their margins, levying a charge of upwards of £5 per litre.

One of the first pubs to roll out the larger receptacles will be the historic Turf Tavern, in Bath Place.

Licensee Stella Berry said: “I think it might take some getting used to for our locals, but we think it will prove a big success, especially with our European visitors.

“We’re actually rebuilding our shelves behind the bar to make sure the new bigger glasses fit and we’re reinforcing our tables so they can take the extra strain.”

Her husband Chuck said one remaining pint glass would be mounted on a wall next to a button-activated audio history of real ale read by comedian Jack Dee, in both German and Japanese.

Meanwhile, Tony Parry, the chairman of the Oxford branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, backed the plan and said he hoped drinkers would not be short-changed.

He said: “We welcome the idea and support anything that will bring extra business to British pubs this summer.

“This scheme ties in with our Short Measures campaign, in which we want to make sure everyone is getting a full liquid measure at the bar.

“This of course will extend to getting a full litre of beer, so we urge drinkers to be vigilant.”

Giant one-litre glasses, known as steins, are a staple of Bavarian beer tents during Munich’s popular Oktoberfest.

Tourist officials in Oxford have said they have been deluged by complaints from visitors to the city about the lack of litre glasses.