Beer drinkers are mourning the loss of one of the North-East's finest brewing names.

Castle Eden Brewery, which recently bought The Camerons Lion Brewery in Hartlepool, yesterday announced it had changed its name to Camerons.

Following the take-over in April, real ale drinkers hoped the new company would retain the Castle Eden name.

But, after nearly 200 years of brewing, the famous name now only lives on in Castle Eden Ale, now brewed by Camerons Brewery Ltd.

Brendan Boyle, spokesman for the Darlington branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), described it as a sad day for ale drinkers in the North-East.

He said: "It's been a name that, in one guise or another, has been here for generations. It's only a matter of weeks since the takeover and I am disappointed the name change has happened so soon.

"Particularly after the people behind the move were seen as white knights at the time. Ironically the former buildings next to the A19 are still there with the sign 'Welcome to Castle Eden Brewery'.

"They now stand as a poignant reminder of times gone."

David Soley, managing director of Camerons, said the name change was appropriate. He explained: "Our new home is Hartlepool where the Lion Brewery has been established for over 100 years and it is therefore appropriate that we should adopt a name with a marvellous heritage a swell as a reputation for brewing quality beers.

"We aim to build Camerons into a successful and respected independent regional brewery. It is our intention to extend the distribution of our core brands which are Camerons Strongarm, Castle Eden Ale, Trophy Special and Scorpion Lager." The brewery is now looking to buy pubs in the region and hopes to strengthen their position in the Free Trade market.

"Having Kenneth helped me get over that and to find out he also had meninigitis destroyed me.

"I feel like my world has been pulled from under me. I watch helpless."

A spokeswoman for the Meningitis Trust said: "This is very very rare indeed. I've only ever known of two cases before."