Sales of cask ales have grown for the first time in over ten years, according figures published by a group of industry experts.

The survey, put together by an independent author and published by a number of industry groups such as the Campaign for Real Ale, argues that cask ales are enjoying a period of increased sales.

Pete Brown, the author of the report said that despite a number of recent reports, more brewers in the UK are now recording sales that are higher than "at any one point in the last 50 years".

"We feel we have overwhelming evidence to challenge the doom and gloom merchants outside of the trade that take one look at market data and conclude the British beer industry is in steep terminal decline," he said.

Mr Brown claims that failure to invest in cask ales by the industry's big four national brewers has been the reason for previous reports of poor sales.

In related news, earlier this week the prime minister said that 24-hour opening could be reversed if it was found to be beneficial to the country.

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