AN award-winning micro brewery is to launch a new ale to raise funds for the Yorkshire Regiment's Benevolent Fund.

Yorkshire Warrior is brewed at the Cropton Brewery, in the tiny village of Cropton, on the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park.

Brewers Phil and Paul Lee say the cask ale - with a strength of 4.4 per cent - will be available from tomorrow, which is St George's Day.

Proceeds from sales will go straight to the Yorkshire Regiment's Benevolent Fund.

Men Behaving Badly actor Neil Morrissey and TV chef Richard Fox, who are buying the Ye Olde Punch Bowl, near Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, will launch the drink.

The beer will be stocked at first in local pubs, but Phil and Paul hope to interest leading supermarket companies.

Ex-serviceman Paul, 39, said: "We decided to brew a beer to help the soldiers of the Yorkshire Regiment and show our support.

"You should be proud of where you come from.

"Everyone we have spoken to about the beer has been really enthusiastic and wants to help out."

To mark its launch, the family-run brewery is to hold a trip round the eight pubs that will stock the beer, tomorrow.

These include the brewery's own The New Inn and pubs at Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside and Pickering.

The brewery has also had 200 limited edition T-shirts printed for the launch.

Lieutenant Colonel David O'Kelly, of the Yorkshire Regiment, praised the brothers for their efforts.

He said the initiative had been well received within the regiment, whose soldiers had just come returned home from a tour of Afghanistan.

Tickets for the St George's Day tour are £20 and on sale from the brewery, on 01751- 417330.

To make a donation to the Yorkshire Regiment's Benevolent Fund, call 01904- 461-014.