The takeover of the famous Hampshire brewers Ringwood could herald the demise of Britain's independent brewing industry.

The Brewery has been sold off to Marston's in a £19.2m deal.

Following the move, reported in the Daily Echo last week, the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) fears for the future of other small brewers across the country.

Camra chief executive Mike Benner said: "The practice among larger breweries of acquiring smaller competitors is a race where the only loser is the consumer who is often denied a locally-brewed beer.

"As one of the larger breweries buys a brewery and expands their estate their competitors start hunting for their next purchase to keep up.

"Camra's fear is that an increasing number of smaller breweries will be lost and consumer choice will suffer.

"In the last three years we have seen another Hampshire brewery, Gales, bought and closed by Fuller's."

"The same has happened elsewhere.

"Marston's purchased Jennings in Cumbria and invested in the future of the brewery.

Who's next?' "We hope they will continue this model with Ringwood. But, it begs the question, who is next in line for acquisition?"

Camra is seeking assurances that Marston's will continue to make all Ringwood's beers available in its pubs around Hampshire - as well as in the free trade - and not be substituted for Marston's own brands.

The consumer group is also seeking assurances that the acquired pubs will keep their identity of Ringwood Brewery, which was started by David Welsh in an old bakery nearly 30 years ago.

A spokeswoman for Ringwood Brewery said: "We can confirm that the brewery will remain in Ringwood since the brewery and its people are crucial to our future plans. It will be business as usual."