A new sparkling beer called Champale will go on sale tomorrow after two-year battle and legal threats from French champagne producers who claimed the name was too similar to their own famous bubbly.

The English tipple - which will be sold in sparkling wine-shaped bottlescomplete with a traditional wired cork - has been made by a vineyard on Mersea Island in Essex where according to local legend the Romans first tended vines 2,000 years ago.

But the battle to produce the powerful Champale - 10.5 per cent strength - was only won after owner Roger Barber convinced the trademark authorities - and French - that they had no claim on the word "champ"

Champagne growers insisted that "champ" was the common familiar term for champagne - but Mr Barber pointed out that in England "champ" was short for champion.