A SPECIAL ale is being launched at the Winchester Beer Festival as a tribute to former Shadows bass guitarist Jet Harris.

Ironically, the 71 year-old musician was teetotal after winning his battle with alcoholism.

But the special brew – Golden Jet – will be sold to boost funds into researching the cancer which claimed the legendary guitarist’s life.

He died at Winchester last year and the Jet Harris Memorial Fund was launched to support the Cancer Research UK’s probe into the Cancer of the Unknown Primary (CUP).

About three out of every 100 cancers in the UK is CUP. It is difficult to treat because once it has been detected, it has already spread to other areas and the origin of the cancer cannot be found.

The memorial fund which has already raised £10,000 was set up by Jet’s partner, Janet Hemingway, with the help of Audrey Knapp, the 60s star’s former personal assistant.

Golden Jet is making its debut at the Winchester Beer Festival at The Queen Inn, Winchester this weekend.

Cancer Research UK needs to raise £44,000 by the end of 2013 to fund this vital research project into CUP.