A NEW charity calendar promises to be in the best possible taste because it features ten real ale pubs.

Councillor Eddie Murphy, chairman of Wear Valley District Council, launched the calendar at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, in aid of his nominated charity, the Crook and District Parent Carers Association.

It was produced with help from Bishop Auckland Round Table, which donated £200 towards the printing costs.

Round Table chairman Simon Gillespie, who runs local pub the Grand Hotel and runs his own real ale microbrewery, said: "Pubs are a cause close to my heart.

"When Eddie asked me to come up with a fundraising idea, I thought a pub calendar would be very appropriate.

"Eddie is such an enthusiastic supporter of events in the area, especially our beer festival. The pub calendar seemed ideal."

The real ale pubs featured include The Red Lion, in Bitchburn, and the Tut 'n' Shive, in Bishop Auckland. It iss hoped the calendar will raise more than £1,200.

Coun Murphy said: "One of the highlights of this year was sitting as a beer judge at the hugely successful Casks in the Castle Beer Festival.

"It gives me immense pleasure to launch my charity calendar at Auckland Castle."

The calendars are on sale at local pubs and the Civic Centre, costing £3.