Britain's real ale industry was buoyed by extended tax breaks announced in the Budget.

Chancellor Gordon Brown had been voted Parliamentarian of the year by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) for introducing small breweries' relief in his 2002 Budget.

The Chancellor received further praise from Camra after he pledged to increase the volume of beer production eligible for the scheme.

Mr Brown said: "For small breweries I will not only continue the successful tax relief scheme but extend it further and double the volume of beer production eligible for relief."

While this is unlikely to mean a drop in the cost of a pint for real ale lovers, it will help make small and medium-size breweries more competitive, a Camra spokesman said.

Camra head of campaigns Mike Benner said: "This is excellent news for small brewers."

Thursday March 18, 2004