Hanson’s Mild is to be axed, ending a brewing tradition that dates back more than a century.

First brewed in Dudley more than a century ago, the dark mild has been brewed at Wolverhampton’s Park Brewery since the closure of the Hanson brewery in 1991.

But today it was revealed that Marston’s has now written to Black Country pubs warning them it will cease brewing Hanson’s Mild in April.

It follows the loss of Hanson’s Bitter 12 years ago and ends a Black Country tradition started by the widow Julia Hanson more than 125 years ago.

Marston’s has blamed quality problems for its decision to axe the beer.

Real Ale group Camra has now launched an on-line petition as part a campaign to save the beer. It has ordered barrels of Hanson’s Mild for its upcoming national conference to be held at the Civic and Wulfrun Halls in Wolverhampton.

And Marston’s chief executive Ralph Findlay, guest speaker at the conference, is to be presented with the petition at the event.

Log on to www.camra.org.uk and click on ‘Campaigns’ to sign the petition.