LIKE many businesses in Bude, local wine merchant Oliver Tullett of North Coast Wines was shocked when he heard that the town's historic tidal swimming pool might have to close next year when Cornwall Council withdraws funding for its life-guards.

Determined to help the cause, Oliver created a custom-brewed Cornish ale which has just gone on sale in Bude.

Paul Tilzey, chairman of the Friends of Bude Sea Pool, is delighted by this positive contribution to the Sea Pool campaign.

He said: "We only have a limited amount of time to raise money and establish an organisation to run the Pool next year. Oliver at NC Wines has come up with a really creative way to spread the word and generate some much-needed revenue. We really appreciate his idea and that he put it into practice so quickly, in order to serve all the visitors who come to Bude in August."

Of course, the FoBSP are extremely safety conscious and would like to remind everyone that you should never drink and swim, surf or sail. However, you can enjoy SOS ale once you've left the beach for the evening – so pick up a pack from North Coast Wines on your way home from the Sea Pool.

SOS: Save Our Seapool ale comes from the Keltek brewery in Redruth. It's 4% alcohol by volume and costs £1.95 per bottle, with 20p of that going directly to seapool funds. You can buy SOS ale direct from North Coast Wines, or try a tipple at one of several hostelries in Bude which are stocking and selling it to boost the Sea Pool cause.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Sea Pool and the efforts of the FoBSP can find out more, donate to the cause or join the group at http://www.budeseapool.org">www.budeseapool.org.