REAL ale buffs are being sought to help save a popular action group from calling its last orders.

Reading's Campaign for Real Ale [CAMRA] could cease to exist in 2018 unless new members come forward.

The group needs to find a new chairman, vice chairman and pub campaigns person in order provide cash for the annual events.

Committee members have warned next year's Beer Festival and Ale Trail events could be scrapped unless CAMRA's committee can be re-built.

Quinten Taylor, said: "We don't have enough people right now who are able or willing to step up to some of the roles that we need.

"If the committee positions aren't filled then the branch cannot spend any money and that means the festival and ale trail will be affected."

Thousands of people descend on the beer festival every year to enjoy bespoke real ale from across the nation.

Reading's CAMRA is one of 200 groups nationwide. An emergency meeting is set to be held next month to save the future of the branch.

The group could seize to exist by March unless volunteers come forward.

Mr Taylor continued: "Being a member of CAMRA is good fun. There is a great social aspect because of the work we do with pubs.

"It's all about making a difference locally. There are all these stories about pub closures. If you get involved you can make a difference and stop that from happening."

Potential volunteers should contact Mr Taylor at chair@readingcamra.org.uk or visit the 'save our branch meeting' at Foresters Arms in Brunswick Street, Reading, on December 7.

The meeting starts at 8pm.

A post on CAMRA's website reads: "Without the three key committee roles filled, the branch cannot function and cannot spend any money.

"This means that currently we cannot run either the Ale Trail or the Beer Festival and may mean that we cease to exist in 3 months time if nothing has changed.

We have enough of a committee that we can rebuild but getting a chairman is crucial."