THE North-East's most famous tipple is to be brewed in Yorkshire.

Bosses at Scottish and Newcastle have announced that Newcastle Brown Ale is to be made at the John Smith's Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire.

It marks the end of 82 years of tradition for the Tyneside beer and was met with anger from trade union bosses who labelled the move a 'disgrace'.

Jeff Tate, regional officer for Unite, said: "This is an appalling state of affairs. To see a day when Newcastle Brown Ale is no longer brewed on Tyneside is a disgrace.

"The company has been closing off sections of Federation for about five years and this seems to be what was planned all along."

The drink is currently made at the Federation Brewery in Dunston, Gateshead, after production was switched from Newcastle.

That move caused upset in 2005, and now the future of 63 staff at the Dunston plant hangs in the balance.

The factory will stop brewing by the middle of next year.

Paul Hoffman, S&N operations director, said: "Clearly this is a very sad day, but the proposal to close Dunston is not a decision we take lightly.

"Nor is it a reflection on the employees at the site who have done an excellent job over the last few years in what has been a very challenging market."