North London CAMRA is backing the growing demand for local produce and support for "green" issues by launching CAMRA's LocAle scheme at the Duke of Wellington in Balls Pond Road, N1.

The Wellington is one of three pubs who have joined this great initiative to encourage pubs to stock at least one locally-produced real ale. The other two pubs are the Duke of Hamilton in Hampstead and the Bree Louise in Euston.

John Cryne, CAMRA North London's Chairman said, said "LocAle is designed to improve the local economy and pub goers' knowledge about which beers are brewed locally. We also hope it will give pubs an edge over sections of the off-trade selling beer way below cost price. Pubs can't compete on price but they can on quality and CAMRA is doing everything it can to keep our community pubs open - pubs that welcome people from all backgrounds".

John added "We also hope that this will help retain our London microbrewers. We have lost a number over the years, often due to their inability to get their beers into the trade. This may well give them a much needed boost".

The original 'LocAle' concept was created in 2007 by CAMRA's Nottingham branch. Following its success with around 80 pubs in Nottingham signing up to the scheme, CAMRA decided to build upon the growing consumer demand for local produce and an awareness of 'green' issues by converting 'LocAle' into a national campaign.

The launch will take place at 8pm on Tuesday 18th August.

For further details contact: John Cryne: 0780 217 4861 or Duke of Wellington 020 7275 7640