DRINKERS will be helping our wounded heroes this Christmas as they enjoy a special Kentish beer.

Shepherd Neame, the 300-year old Faversham brewer, is doing its bit for injured service personnel by launching Help for Heroes Spitfire Ale, with sales raising funds for the new charity.

Help for Heroes aids members of the armed forces returning wounded from tours of duty. Supporters include Princes William and Harry, TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson and musician James Blunt.

The limited edition beer, available in 250ml bottles from selected branches of Majestic Wine Warehouses, Booths, Nisa and Makro, has also been sent as Christmas gifts to personnel returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as those being treated at the Defence Medical Services Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court, Epsom, Surrey.

Help for Heroes aims to raise enough money for a new gym and swimming pool at the centre, which helps service people recover from injuries and rebuild their lives.

Bryn Parry, the appeal’s chairman and former Royal Green Jacket, said: "All of us at Help for Heroes welcome this tremendous initiative by Shepherd Neame and thank them for coming up with such a swift and bold idea that will go down so well with our Armed Forces; as will the beer."

Sheps chief executive Jonathan Neame, added: "Spitfire Ale has a proud record of supporting service charities and we are delighted to offer Help for Heroes our support.

"We are hoping that this Christmas everyone will raise their glasses to those who risk their lives on our behalf and give a helping hand to those who are rebuilding their lives following injuries."