InBrief

Sexy lager falls foul of Portman

Bottles of a Belgian lager displaying a picture of a woman whose clothing can be removed have been removed from shelves for breaching The Portman Group's rules on marketing. Labels of Rubbel Sexy Lager show the young lady wearing a swimsuit that can be scratched off to reveal her naked. The drinks, produced by Brouwerij Huyghe and imported into the UK by Beer Paradise, have been withdrawn from sale following the decision.

Wadworth gets a new head brewer

Brian Yorston has been appointed head brewer at Wadworth following the

retirement of Trevor Holmes. Yorston is only the third person to hold the position since the Second World War. Yorston, formerly trade quality brewer at Wadworth, said: "I feel privileged to be taking the reins from someone such as Trevor, who has done so much for the brewery and its beers."

Luminar launches new Oceana club

Luminar Leisure is to open a new Oceana club in Brighton by September. The new development will be sited on the now closed Event II club. Luminar already operates nine Oceanas across the country; they typically have capacity for 2,000-plus customers. Luminar was unable to put a cost on the new development.

Boozing costs Wales £1bn a year

Booze binges cost Wales £1bn a year, according to a report by health chiefs. The study by the Directors of Public Protection Wales - a body made up of the public health chiefs on Wales' 22 regional councils - says the harmful effects of over-drinking show no sign of abating as Wales has the highest rate of underage drinking among 11 to

15-year-olds in the EU. It also blames excessive drinking for 1,000 premature deaths each year.

Call for end to alcohol sponsors

The country's teachers have joined the calls for alcohol sponsorship of sporting events to be banned. Steve Sinnott, of the National Union of Teachers, wants to see all alcohol sponsorship of sports teams and events come to an end before the 2012 Olympics. "This exposure to alcohol is damaging young people's lives and futures," he said.

"I call today for radical action by the drinks industry and others."