BOLTON celebrity steeplejack Fred Dibnah has ordered his name to be removed from a beer specially brewed for a charity fund raising festival.

Town brewery Bank Top had produced a commemorative ale, Doctor Dibnah, named after the honorary doctorate in engineering which Fred picked up from Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University. But a storm in a pint glass has broken out at the Bolton Beer Festival at the Howcroft Inn, Pool Street, after the TV star's wife contacted brewer John Feeney last night insisting the name was changed.

It is understood the move has caused consternation among organisers of the five-day festival, which began last night, in aid of Bolton Lads and Girls' Club.

Fred's wife Sheila Dibnah said this morning: "They did it without even consulting Fred or his agent and it's a bit naughty.

"He is paid money to endorse products and you are stepping on people's toes by attaching his name to other things. I was amazed. I spoke to Fred in London last night and he was absolutely livid about it. He said 'How dare they do that?' "

Mr Dibnah gave his consent in 1995 for Bank Top to produce a beer named Fred's Cap in his honour.

The Little Avenham Brewery in Preston also produced an ale called Steeplejack Fred in 1997 with the colourful character's blessing. But Mrs Dibnah said while the Bolton Beer Festival was for charity, the steeplejack could not allow his name to be attached to what could become a longer-lasting commercial concern.

"It does do harm," said Mrs Dibnah. "I've been all over the country where they have got Fred's Cap in pubs. He did give permission for that but the understanding was that if it did well he would get something for it. He's not even had so much as a keg of beer from Bank Top."

But Bank Top owner John Feeney was keen to downplay his disappointment this morning.

He said: "I've apologised to Fred and we've changed the name on the pumps on the instructions of Mrs Dibnah. I don't want a row."

Doctor Dibnah has now been renamed the Bolton Beer Festival Festival Brew.