CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to fight yet again to save a North-East's brewery.

The fresh battle comes amid fears over a cost-cutting exercise launched by Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries (W&D), owner of Camerons' Lion Brewery, in Hartlepool.

W&D is believed to be investigating the possibility of selling some of their facilities to help fight off a takeover bid, and Camerons, which employs about 180 staff in Hartlepool, could be at risk.

But last night, the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) reaffirmed its commitment to retaining the independence of breweries across the region.

Regional Camra spokesman Brendan Boyle said: "We've fought the closure of Camerons on a number of occasions, with a great deal of success.

"We battled against Scottish & Newcastle taking it over, and we'll continue the fight to keep the brewery independent."

Camerons appears to be in a strong position, he said, with brewing at full capacity and the company expanding the number of pubs it runs.

The results of an internal review, due out in November, are expected to reach the conclusion that W&D cannot continue operating all four of its breweries under the takeover threat of private equity firm Botts & Co.

Two of its other sites, at Wolverhampton and Burton, which are closely associated with Midlands brands Banks and Pedigree, are thought to be safe from the axe.

The Hartlepool site has seen its fair share of investment in the past two years, with W&D pumping in capital as part of a general restructuring following its takeover of Marston's.