As summer heats up, beer gardens and bar terraces are becoming jam packed with fair weather drinkers seeking sun and cider.

The only downside to the temperate cheer is the tedious queue to the bar.

But that could be a thing of the past thanks to a new smart-phone app which allows tech-savvy drinkers to skip the bar altogether.

Four pubs in Brighton are trialling Orderella, which allows customers to order and pay for drinks and food on their phone.

It went live at the Open House, Fountain Head, The Freemasons and North Laine pubs this week, with the aim to roll it out across all 37 InnBrighton pubs in the city.

The way pubs work is thought to have remained the same for more than 1,000 years – but Orderella is tipped to push them into the 21st century. Customers can simply order their food and drink and either have it brought to their table or receive a message when their order is ready to collect it from the bar.

Payments are also made through the app so there is no need to wait for the bill.

Gavin George, chief executive of InnBrighton, said: “When you’re in deep conversation down the pub or soaking up the sun in a beautiful beer garden, it’s great to be have the choice to order from your table and have your drinks brought to you.

“Orderella is very appealing to the sociable, cultured, tech savvy customers who enjoy InnBrighton pubs, and we look forward to it becoming a key tool in our customer service kit.”

The app is the brainchild of five business executives with backgrounds in IT, finance, consultancy and law, and was launched in August 2012.

Dennis Collet, chief executive of Orderella, said: “We’re thrilled to be so widely available across Brighton.

“It’s a town where people socialise, making Orderella the ideal app, as they can forget the queue and make the most of the beer garden weather.”

Orderella is available from the iPhone App Store and Google Play Store.