Brewers unveil World Cup line-up

Brewers are getting ready for the World Cup by producing beers to celebrate this summer's festival of football.

North East brewer Camerons has made a nostalgic brew - the Arthur Wharton Ale - to commemorate the first black professional footballer.

Wharton was a goalkeeper who played for teams including Newcastle, Darlington, Preston and Sheffield United towards the end of the 19th Century.

The four per cent ABV beer is the first in a series of ales to celebrate local sporting heroes from the North East of England with profits going towards local charities.

Camerons marketing manager Yousef Doubooni said: "Each year we will be looking to nominate another sporting legend from our region with profits raised from going towards other charities or events.

"As Camerons Brewery is now the only major independent regional family brewery left in the North East of England, we feel that it is important for us to celebrate the achievements of sporting stars in the region while raising much needed funds to support local causes."

The beer will be on sale from May in time for the World Cup and 10p from every pint sold will be put towards the building of a statue to commemorate Wharton's sporting achievements. A further 5p from each pint will being shared between local charities.

Meanwhile Suffolk brewer Greene King has launched the seasonal ale 'Back of the Net' in time for June.

Head brewer John Bexon said: "At Greene King we're all behind the England team and willing them to go all the way and bring the World Cup trophy back to our shores. In Back of the Net, fans will have the perfect beer to cheer our boys on with."