A COMPANY run by two former Huddersfield University students supplied beer to slake the thirst of performers at the Live8 concert in Edinburgh.

Chilli Marketing, headed by directors Kieron Barton and Gareth Whittle, is UK distributor for Peruvian bottled beer Cusqueña.

The beer was provided for the stars backstage at the event at Murrayfield Stadium.

The event, hosted by comedians Lenny Henry and Peter Kay, included major names, such as Annie Lennox, Snow Patrol, Texas, Travis and Jamie Cullum.

Mr Barton said: "Cusqueña was chosen as the only beer for the VIP room because of its great taste and links to the Peruvian charity Esperanza, the Spanish word for hope."

Chilli Marketing set up the charity to help poor children in the Cusco region of Peru, where the beer is brewed.

For every case of beer sold in bars, restaurants and supermarkets, 60p goes to the charity.

"Helping combat poverty is something we feel strongly about and that's why we set up Esperanza," said Mr Barton.