PINTS of Grappler and Bear Hug are being brewed in Bolton to raise the profile of wrestling after it was scrapped from the Olympics.

Head brewer at Bank Top Brewery, Dave Sweeney, was a keen wrestler in his younger days and now the brewery will be releasing a beer named after a traditional wrestling move each month this year.

Beers include the Chancery, Back Bridge and Nelson and money from sales will be donated to Sharples Wrestling Club.

Mr Sweeney said: “After it was announced that wrestling was being taken out of the Olympics in 2020, we spoke to Sharples Wrestling Club’s head coach Eddie Kavanagh about how the club was struggling because of lack of funding. With my enthusiasm for wrestling and making a lot of beers I thought supporting the club could raise the profile of the sport.”

The brewery boss wrestled with old pal, Ian Parker, who is now a delivery driver for the firm, as teenagers at Bolton Wrestling Club.

Both were international wrestlers and national champions.

Mr Parker recently started working at the brewery in Ashworth Lane after retiring from the police, where he was an inspector in Bolton. He helps run Sharples Wrestling Club since it was formed four years ago.

Mr Sweeney said: “Starting wrestling was my father’s way of keeping me on the straight and narrow as my parents were divorcing. I owe a lot to wrestling.

“The fair play grounding that the sport gives you is essential for any level of educational and sporting ability.

“The sport keeps you well grounded and level headed. Everybody in the sport has such respect for each other.

It gets rid of unnecessary violence, promotes dignity and confidence.”

The club’s head coach Eddie Kavanagh said: “This is a brilliant way for a successful local business to show its support for a local club, there can only be a benefit for the young people of Bolton.”

The brewery hopes to donate about £2,000 to the club