The former chief executive of the East Anglian Air Ambulance director has been named as the new chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

Tim Page, who lives east of Cambridge, is a former chief executive of the East Anglian Air Ambulance and ex-national director of homeless charity Emmaus.

He said: “Camra has an outstanding reputation as a result of its large membership, its huge number of hard-working and committed volunteers and professional employees.

“My aim is to continue to develop Camra as both the universally-recognised representative and the most authoritative voice of real ale drinkers and pub-goers in the UK.”

He joins the campaign group as it continues to press for measures to reduce the number of pub closures - currently running at 31 a week.

Mr Page succeeds Mike Benner , who has remained within the beer industry and is now managing director at SIBA, the Society for Independent Brewers.

“CAMRA are very pleased to welcome Tim Page as our new Chief Executive and look forward to seeing him further cement CAMRA’s place as the voice of beer drinkers within the beer and pub industry,” said Camra chairman Colin Valentine.