Fred Thomas is all set to lead Cornwall's best-known "double life." An agricultural sales representative by day, he will regularly have his face made up and change into woman's clothing for high-profile exposure by night.

Not only will he welcome the extra attention, but he will also be doing it in a good cause - and his "sex change" role will even come with the perk of free drinks.

For Sticker resident Fred, 41, is the winning applicant in Skinners Brewery's search for a Cornish "panto dame" to bring to life the famous face on the label of their best-selling Betty Stogs beer.

In the wake of widespread publicity earlier this year, Steve Skinner, managing director of the Truro-based brewery, was inundated with applications for the Betty role. These included photos of buxom wenches and, he has no doubt, a number of less printable hoaxes and wind-ups.

But there was nothing false about Fred Thomas's credentials and he will now be the human version of Betty - going on tour to celebrate Skinners' tenth anniversary and raising money for their adopted charity, the Children's Hospice South West.

Fred will bring the befuddled Betty Stogs character to life with personal appearances at pubs across Cornwall over the summer months. Each special night will feature a 30-question fun quiz, with prizes, compered by "Betty".

Fred is well qualified for the role, having already played dame twice for the Sticker Players pantomime.

Altogether he has been with the Players for eight years and one of his colleagues there, co-producer Katie Bawden, is preparing some standard scripts to help Fred with his panto pub crawl. Sticker Players members are also helping with his make-up and Skinners sales representative Ann Rogers, a former dressmaker, has made his costume.

"It's certainly an unusual part," admits Fred, "but I'm very much looking forward to giving it my best shot. It should all be good fun and it's in a very good cause. There's no doubting I'm going to have to drink a fair bit, too, but I guess you could say that someone has to do it!'"

He adds: "As well as the main programme of pub visits, I am also planning a few extra Betty Stogs appearances, including the Truro Half Marathon in September."

Steve Skinner comments: "I am sure Fred will bring great flair and fun to the role, which is precisely the sort of character we were seeking - and we've already had great fun just sifting through all the applications!

"I would like to thank everyone who showed an interest and applied for the position and to say sorry to all those who were not successful."

The folklore Betty Stogs character was a native of West Cornwall. She was unkempt and lazy, could never mend her stockings, couldn't knit or cook - and definitely liked her ale! Her child was taken from her by the "small people," washed in the morning dew and returned. The shock of it is said to have turned Betty into a reformed character.