REAL ale enthusiasts have named an old favourite as the North-East's best traditional beer of the year.

Cameron's Strongarm narrowly beat off competition from two newer brews, Wylam Gold Tankard and Durham Magus, after taste tests by a panel of "experts" from North-East branches of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

They made the selection during the Real Oktober Fest, a four-day festival staged at Durham's Woodman Inn.

Festival organiser Ken Weaver, Camra's Durham branch chairman, said: "It was eagerly contested and it was really difficult when there were two or three quality beers.

"They all had a good shout, and all had a strong case, but Strongarm just got the vote. It proved it has stood the test of time - but there was very little in it."

Mr Weaver said representatives of the two runners-up, Durham and Wylam micro breweries, left disappointed, as the award is an increasingly prestigious accolade.

"The winner goes on to represent the region at next year's Champion Beer of Britain competition, staged as part of the Best of British Beer Festival at Olympia in London, in August.

"I think the competition reflected the fact that we have some very good beers here in the North-East."

Strongarm, also known as Ruby Red, has four per cent alcohol by gravity.

It has for decades been a flagship brand of Cameron's, owned by Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries since 1992.

But it is still produced under the careful eye of head brewer Martin Dutoy at Cameron's Lion Brewery, in Hartlepool, where it was first brewed in the mid-1950s.

A brewery spokeswoman said: "Martin and the rest of the staff are delighted to win the award.

"Strongarm has been a popular brand since the 1950s and it is still selling well, particularly in the North, but also at some Midlands' outlets."

The distinctive ruby red look is said to be the result of its high percentage of crystal malt used in production.

The beer drinkers' bible, the Good Beer Guide, describes it as: "Now substantially improved and with consistent character. A rich, ruby red bitter with a full body and robust bitterness. Hop aroma is spicy and balances a lasting fruitiness.