A NORTH Yorkshire museum is to stock ale alongside its artefacts in an intoxicating new fundraising idea.

Malton Museum has teamed up with local real ale specialists Suddaby's Ltd to recreate the town's claim to be one of the earliest brewing centres of Europe during the Roman occupation.

The bottles will go on sale at the museum, but no alcohol will be drunk on the premises.

Frank Wiggle, of Malton Museum, said it was believed that the Romans were involved with brewing when the Malton area was a Roman stronghold.

He said: "The theory is there was brewing in Roman times. The idea is to sell beers as souvenirs."

Members of Malton Town Council have backed the idea, and a bid to seek a justices' licence so the beer can be sold at the museum.

Coun David Lloyd-Williams, a museum trustee, told the meeting that there would be no consumption of drink at the museum.

He said the idea had sprung from a similar scheme at Ripon Cathedral.

But Coun Gerry Cooper said he was against the plan.

He said: "A museum is not the place to sell beer. It is a place for education research. There are plenty of pubs nearby if someone wants a drink."

After hearing that there was evidence of Malton being a significant brewing centre in Roman times, the majority of councillors backed the idea and the bid for the justices' licence.

Updated: 10:45 Tuesday, May 04, 2004