A REAL Ale that was brewed by Mitchells has been taken from the pump and put into bottles.

Lancaster Bomber was first brewed by the Lancaster Brewer before Daniel Thwaites decided to re-launch the beer.

Blackburn-based Daniel Thwaites was so overwhelmed at its successful take off as a draught beer that it ordered a quick-fire launch of the bottled version.

Lee Williams, Daniel Thwaites national accounts sales manager, said: "We always intended to produce Bomber in bottles this year but due to unprecedented demand we have brought the launch forward."

Thwaites rescued Bomber, one of Britain's best known cask ales, when its existence was threatened after William Mitchells, of Lancaster, came out of brewing.

Thwaites decided to add the brew to their nationally-known portfolio of cask ales just a matter of weeks ago and early sales figures have proved staggering.

Mitchells first launched Bomber, dubbed the "beer brewed for a mission'", on June 6, 1994, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of D-Day. The ale (4.4 abv), is now available in 500ml bottles with their distinctive blue labels.