A major drive is boosting a real ale brand across the Midlands.

The brewing and brands arm of Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries (WDB Brands) has appointed Leamington-based firm Vital to provide PR support for its new campaign for flagship beer Marston's Pedigree.

The appointment is part of a £2 million initiative which includes 600 posters across the Midlands and targets national press, TV and radio.

The drive also includes a major trade quality campaign called CaskForce.

That initiative offers training and the chance for one of the UK's 25,000 tenanted or free trade licensees to win their pub rent for a year.

Under the scheme, over 500 pubs will win training days that deliver a traderecognised qualification.

The programme is part of Pedigree's 'Don't Compromise' positioning, which urges pub landlords and drinkers not to accept anything less than great quality cask ales.

Tina Martin, Marketing Controller at WDB Brands, said: " The campaign focuses on our heartland - the Midlands - and is part of a £2 million investment this autumn with the posters, press and Cask-Force initiative."