A Black Country-based brewery - Holden's at Coseley - has reached the top ten of The Great British Beer Festival Golden Ale Trail with its Golden Glow beverage.

The London-based festival, which is organised by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ales), attracts more than 40,000 beer drinkers from across the country, and to reflect the growing popularity of Golden Ales, CAMRA has introduced a new Golden Ales category to the Champion Beer of Britain competition.

The popularity of 'Golden Ales', which tend to be much lighter in colour than traditional beer styles such as bitter and mild, is growing among all beer drinkers as independent brewers fight to win market share back from global lager brands.

Holden's brewery, which can be traced back to the 1920's, is no exception, introducing Golden Glow to its portfolio in 2000.

The brewery was founded by Edwin Holden and is still family-owned, starting modestly in the Park Inn in George Street, Woodsetton, now known as The Brewery Tap.

In recent years real ale traditional beer has struggled to keep up with sales of continental-style lager beers, but attempts by brewers to brew more refreshing, lighter tasting and paler golden ales is attracting young adults, both men and women back to genuine British beer.

Mike Benner, CAMRA's chief executive, said: "There is a clear trend developing towards the 'new' golden ales and this is good news for the real ale market."

In a survey of beer drinkers by CAMRA, results showed Golden beers are most popular with the 25-34 age groups, yet are notably less popular with older drinkers who prefer darker beers.

The survey also found that 54 per cent of women preferred golden coloured beers while only 28 per cent said they preferred the darker varieties.

The future of Golden ale looks secure according to Mr Benner: "I think we are facing a period of significant growth for real ale as today's drinkers begin to abandon global mass- produced lagers in favour of light and refreshing locally brewed real golden ales."

CAMRA also seeks to increase the popularity of real ales by adding famous faces to the fight. The likes of Gordon Ramsay and Abi Titmuss topped a poll of the most popular blondes to front a possible golden ale campaign to tempt young adults to try real ale. Others that scored highly include MP Boris Johnson and pop singer Madonna.

Yet pubs and breweries clearly face a fight to survive with CAMRA also publishing research which shows that 26 pubs each month are being closed forever.

In response to these findings a Community Pubs Foundation has been set up to help communities save their locals.

The Community Pubs Foundation will provide support for local communities fighting to save their local from being demolished, in the form of advice, information and small grants.