HOOK Norton Brewery is backing cricket legend Ian Botham's latest charity walk in aid of leukaemia research.

The village brewers have produced a special beer - Beefy's Bitter - as the former top sportsman starts his "Beefy Bowls Out Teenage Cancer" marathon.

The limited edition 4.5 per cent pale ale is available at Hook Norton pubs throughout Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, and Gloucestershire, and 10p from every pint will go to Leukaemia Research.

James Clarke, the brewery's managing director, said: "We're delighted that we've been able to get the new beer on sale just before Ian starts his walk on Monday.

"We've had a number of advance orders already, and we're hoping that all 25 barrels will be quickly snapped up by pubs which are looking to offer something a bit different, in support of Ian's great cause."

Mr Clarke is a loyal supporter of Leukaemia Research, after his sister died from the illness in 1986.

Brewery staff and their dray horses will be in Oxford on October 16, as Botham's walk takes him through the city.

Botham's fundraising effort will see him walk through two cities every day, starting with Belfast and Glasgow on Monday, until he reaches London on October 17.

He will be transported between cities by helicopter.