A BRIGHT future is forecast for a traditional North-East tipple, which is now proving more popular overseas than in this country.

Latest figures from Scottish and Newcastle Breweries (S&N) confirmed that its old favourite brew, Newcastle Brown, is achieving higher sales abroad than in Britain.

The legendary Tyneside ale, known locally as "broon", or more widely as "Newky Brown", is now available in 45 countries.

Its biggest export market is the US, where a million bottles are downed per week, a ten per cent increase on 1999.

S &N, which makes £200m per year from Newcastle Brown, believes dropping the word "ale" from the title has proved a success during the past year.

The controversial move was made to make the beer more popular among less traditional drinkers.

S&N marketing brands manager Fiona Prior said: "We think part of the success, particularly in the US and Australia, is that it is so different from their lighter lagers. It appeals to people who want to stand out by drinking something different."

A further investment of £26m in Newcastle Brown, including £16.5m on a new plant to bottle 600 bottles a minute, should ensure its success continues. The brewery has also begun selling it on draught as an option to the traditional bottle