MICRO breweries struggling to survive against pub chains are turning to the bottle, according to the Campaign for Real Ale.

The organisation, which promotes small breweries, including those based in Worcestershire, has found that the ever-decreasing market for guest beers has resulted in a sharp increase in brews being sold by high street retailers.

The campaign group, which launched its Good Bottled Beer Guide yesterday, found more than 300 bottled beers were available on shop shelves across the country - an increase of 30 per cent in the last year.

"Regrettably, most pubs are now operated by giant pub companies which are under no obligation to give their tenants and managers guest beers rights," said Jeff Evans, the book's author.

"Thankfully, however, as supermarkets and specialist beer shops continue to open small brewers have begun bottling like never before and for some it is a prime source of income.

"The beer choice in supermarkets is staggering compared to the situation only a few years ago."