A BREWERY has developed a special ale to help raise money for an international wildlife charity.

Speyside Craft Brewery in Forres has teamed up with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) to brew Bottlenose Bitter.

For every pint sold, cash will be donated to the charity, which helps the world's most northerly resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth.

The brewery's managing director Seb Jones, 25, said that when he started his business it was always an ambition to find a way to support WDC.

"I'm a keen kayaker and, like everyone, get a thrill every time I see a dolphin in the Moray Firth," he said.

"But essentially I'm just a business playing my part as a link in a chain that benefits everyone.

"My business relies upon the success of the hospitality business, such as bars, restaurants and hotels, which in turn rely on tourism, which to a large degree in the Moray Firth benefits from the resident dolphin colony.

"Their continued presence here relies significantly on the work of WDC. To me, helping them in this way is a no-brainer."

The 200-strong bottlenose dolphin population in the Moray Firth is vitally important to the area both in conservation and tourism terms. VisitScotland says the attraction generates more than £4 million a year in tourist income.

Bottlenose Bitter, 4.1% ABV, will be a permanent fixture in the range of beers produced by the fledgling brewery, which currently includes Randolph's Leap Lager (4.9% ABV) and Moray IPA (5.5% ABV).

Bottlenose Bitter is a traditional amber beer, and carries the WDC logo and information on the label. From today, it will be on tap in bars and in bottles from off-licences across the north of Scotland and beyond

Ali Jordan, WDC's Scottish Dolphin Centre manager, said she and her team were excited about the new partnership.

She said: "We are delighted that Seb and the Speyside Craft Brewery have chosen to support us.

"The money the brewery raises will help us fund vital projects."