REAL ale enthusiasts plan to oppose the merger of two North-East breweries.

The County Durham branch of Camra is concerned that Castle Eden Brewery, near Peterlee, will be closed if it is taken over by Camerons Lion Brewery at Hartlepool.

Speculation is growing that the deal would mean Castle Eden would be redeveloped as a housing estate and its production, and employees , transferred to Hartlepool.

The speculation centres on reports that Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries, owners of Camerons, will be bought out by its management.

Castle Eden, one of the region's oldest breweries, launched as an independent firm in 1998, after previous owner Whitbread ended production. It produces popular real ales such as Nimmo's XXXX while Camerons' products include the long-established Strongarm bitter.

Ken Weaver, chairman of the branch, which has 150 members, said: "It is bad news for the staff of both breweries and for beer drinkers in the North-East and the rest of the country.

"We intend to oppose any plans for a merger. We intend to write to both parties to outline our position and see if we can get any answers. We are looking for reassurances that jobs and beer ranges will be protected.

"We have seen a lot of cases where breweries merge and brews are transferred or taken off the market. We believe there is a market for the beers to continue, but past history shows that ranges do get slimmed down. It is another threat to choice.

"We value Castle Eden brewery not just for its history, but its products. It is a County Durham brewery and one of the last in the area.

Both breweries declined to comment on a possible merger.

Easington District Council is yet to deny reports that it is having talks about redevelopment of the Castle Eden site.

The branch plans to discuss the situation at a meeting in the Woodmans Arms, Claypath, Durham, on Wednesday, at 8pm