Sky Blues save beer fans' tears; 21st ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL GOES AHEAD AT STADIUM.

The Sky Blues have stepped in to stop real ale lovers crying in their beer by offering a venue for Coventry's annual festival.

A football-themed festival in the East Stand Mall at Highfield Road will celebrate the 21st anniversary of the event in style.

The Campaign for Real Ale feared it would have to cancel the 1999 party when

Coventry University ruled out its Students Union premises, which are being renovated.

But following a plea in the Evening Telegraph, festival organisers had plenty of alternative offers.

Mick Madder, spokesman for Camra's Coventry and North Warwickshire branch, said: ``This is absolutely wonderful. We really thought it was the end for Coventry's beer festival.

"Without a suitable venue near the city centre we could never have built on the success of previous years.

``After the Evening Telegraph ran the story, we had four or five good offers. The main reason we chose Coventry City Football Club was the size of the venue but we are very grateful to the others who came forward.

``The Sky Blues have done us proud. The club has been really helpful and we can now concentrate on building Coventry's festival into one of the best in the country.''

The event will go ahead on April 9 and 10. City are playing away that weekend.

Mr Madder added: ``People come from Yorkshire, Somerset, Hereford and Worcester for the festival. It has really made a name for itself.

``Now we can work on making it one of the big festivals, to put Coventry well and truly on the map.''