A SOUTH Lakeland brewery has been chosen as one of three to produce and sell official Pennine Way beers.

Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery will make a special ale to be launched this summer along with The Nook Brewhouse, Holmfirth, and Hadrian and Border Brewery, in Tyneside

Brewing of the official beers is now underway and they will be available along the trail and in surrounding areas including Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Carlisle and the Scottish Borders.

A financial contribution will be made from each pint or bottle sold towards the maintenance of the 267-mile national trail which runs from Edale to Kirk Yetholm.

"Being keen outdoor brewers and regular walkers and mountain bikers we wanted to support the maintenance of the Pennine Way for locals and visitors to enjoy," said Stuart Taylor, from the Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery. "We are brewing a thirst-quenching amber ale of four per cent - perfect hydration along your Pennine adventure.”

Initially the beers will be available as cask ales to pubs, hotels and restaurants along the trail and in surrounding areas.

Later in the year, bottled ales will be available online and in local stockists.

The Pennine Way trail managers began their search for a brewery partner in February.

“As the Pennine Way is so long we decided that we would work with three smaller breweries along the length of the trail who can each supply their surrounding areas," Heather Procter, one of the trail managers, said. "We are really pleased to be supporting local businesses and looking forward to tasting the three new beers.”

Stockists will be listed online at www.nationaltrail.co.uk/pennine-way/plan when they have taken delivery of the official ales.

The breweries would like to hear from anyone who may be interested in stocking one or more of the official Pennine Way beers.

An official launch date for the beers will be announced soon.