BREWERS Daniel Thwaites have recruited a Bavarian prince to help them finally grab a foothold in the money-spinning lager market.

Kaltenberg lager, a new authentic German draught lager based on more than 700 years of royal tradition, will start to appear in pubs and clubs throughout East Lancashire from Monday after it was unveiled to the licensed trade last night in Blackpool.

Part of the Pleasure Beach was transformed into the courtyard of a Bavarian castle for the spectacular launch of the new lager, now brewed in Blackburn using yeast from the Kaltenberg brewery.

Star guest was Prince Luitpold of Bavaria -- Germany's last 'Royal' brewer -- whose world-famous brewing empire is based at Castle Kaltenburg, 30 miles outside of Munich.

Kaltenberg draught is brewed to Germany's strict purity laws 'Rheinheitsgebot' which were established in 1516 by Prince Luitpold's forefather Wilhem IV.

It will be introduced as Thwaites' standard lager in more than 400 pubs and clubs throughout the North of England, alongside its premium-strength brand Warsteiner. Canned Kaltenberg will be available from November and plans are being drawn up to bottle the brew from next year.

The launch of the new lager represents a major investment from Thwaites, Britain's sixth largest brewer. It will help safeguard the jobs of the 300 people who work at the Star Brewery and its distribution centre at Shadsworth.

The deal for the UK rights for Kaltenberg is Thwaites latest attempt to create a best-selling standard lager brand.

Prince Luitpold, who can trace his family's brewing heritage back to 1260, said: "I am delighted to be linking with Thwaites as new partners for the UK."