SECRET ingredients have been used in a new beer brewed specially for Christmas, which was last week launched by Dartmoor Brewery.

Dartmoor's Christmas Ale was launched in Meavy, with the help of Dartmoor Border Morris side, who danced to bring the beer good luck.

Mark Shackleton of Dartmoor Brewery, who paid tribute to the dancers and Stephen Earp of the Royal Oak for their help, said: 'This is the first ale Dartmoor has brewed especially for Christmas. It's taste and colour is evocative, a deep warm red with a rich cherry liqueur flavour and an aroma of Christmas spice.

'The ingredients are a secret as we we want to protect the beer from being copied.'

Mark said the brewery, the highest in the British Isles at nearly 1,400 ft above sea level, with a record of more Christmas snowfall than any other area in the south west and being surrounded by thousands of Christmas trees on moorland plantations, had an ideal pedigree to produce a 'unique' Christmas ale.

The festive tipple will be available in pubs throughout West Devon.