A BEER brewed specially to raise money for Pendleside Hospice proved so popular at its launch that it sold out in three-and-a-half hours.

The Pendleside brew was created by Reedley Hallows, based in Burnley, and £3 from every nine gallons sold will be donated to the hospice, which supports adults with cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses.

It is hoped the ale, described as the ‘perfect summer drink’, will bring in around £3,000 for the hospice.

Steve Dilworth, 59, landlord of The Swan With Two Necks, in Pendleton, the CAMRA Pub of the Year, where Pendleside was first launched, said customers had thoroughly enjoyed it.

He said: “We wanted to get inv-olved because it is an extremely good cause, and I am one of the thousands who has done the Pen- dle Pub Walk in aid of the hospice.The beer was on sale for three- and-a-half hours and we sold all 72 pints.

It was a fantastic reac-tion, and Pendleside is a very, very good beer, especially for the summer. If it brings some sunshine when the weather is horr-ible, or life is horrible, then it makes it all worth while.”

The Swan With Two Necks is one of around 50 venues nationwide that has agreed to sell the beer, and donate money to the hospice.

Peter Gouldsbrough, a brewer at Reedley Hallows, said: “The feedback so far has been excell-ent. Everybody who has tried it has said they are going to repeat order, or that they have enjoyed drinking it. It is more of a sum-mer drink because it is light and refreshing, so we are expecting more sales in coming months.

“Pendleside was brewed esp-ecially for the hospice but, bec-ause of the reaction we have had, we will probably keep it as a mainstream beer.”

Hospice volunteer Alan Howl-and said: “The beer is excellent, and we are hoping it will make lots of money for the hospice.”