A town crier is joining a protest by workers at plans to move the production of Boddingtons beer out of Manchester.

Blackpool's town crier will join members of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) to gather public support in the city centre.

The workers are against proposals by the firm's owners Interbrew to move production to Preston and South Wales.

The union members are handing out leaflets to members of the public on Wednesday.

Flexible plan

Boddingtons beer, famously advertised by former model Melanie Sykes, was promoted as the "cream of Manchester".

Interbrew says it needs to save �3.5m and shed 80 jobs.

Franny Joyce, TGWU regional industrial organiser, said: "The town crier won't just be shouting the odds, he will be making it clear that Boddingtons is the pride of Manchester, and workers who brew the beer are proud of that fact."

Part of the plans put forward by workers to management includes more flexible working to cut costs.