PUBLIC health experts in Glasgow have welcomed a decision to introduce a new, sugar-free version of the UK’s third most popular soft drink.

Irn-Bru Extra will be available to consumers from next month, AG Barr have announced.

The Cumbarnauld-based firm already produces a sugar-less version of the fizzy drink but said the latest variant would have “extra flavour.”

It follows the announcement in March that a sugar tax is to be imposed on the soft drinks industry across the UK.

Irn-Bru is amongst the fizzy drinks which will be subject to the highest ‘tax’ band because it contains more than 8g of sugar per 100 millilitres.

The company responded to the announcement saying it would be focusing more on low or no sugar drinks in the future.

Public health leaders in Glasgow welcomed the decision to create a new sugar-free version of the drink saying it demonstrated that the company was taking account of growing evidence on the adverse impact of sugar on weight and oral health in children.

Soft drinks are the largest single source of sugar for children - accounting for almost a third of consumption.

Irn-Bru is the third top-selling soft drink in the UK overall, with Pepsi and Coca-Cola occupying the top two spots.

It is only the third permanent variant to be added to the range since the drink was launched in 1901.

Adrian Troy, head of marketing for the firm said: “It’s clear that the market is changing and consumers want more choice.

“We’ve listened to this and have worked incredibly hard to not only develop Irn-Bru Extra, but to make it available to buy this summer.”

The move to introduce a sugar levy, introduced in George Osborne’s March budget, was hailed by campaigners as a significant step in the fight against child obesity.

There will be two bands - one for total sugar content above 5g per 100 millilitres and a second, higher band for the most sugary drinks with more than 8g per 100 millilitres.

Analysis by the Office for Budgetary Responsibility suggests they will be levied at 18p and 24p per litre.

Examples of drinks which would currently fall under the higher rate of the sugar tax include full-strength Irn-Bru, Coca-Cola and Pepsi, Lucozade Energy and Irn-Bru,

Dr Emilia Crighton, Director of Public Health, NHS Great Glasgow & Clyde said: “We continue to see the effects of poor diets across Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the increasing impact this has on our services in the form of diabetes.

“People are aware of obesity, but we still have work to do in helping them take the right steps to either avoid it or tackle the effects.

“Soft drinks are the largest single source of sugar for children – they account for 29% of the sugar consumption for 10-18 year olds.

“Given this, I welcome the addition of a new sugar free version of a very popular soft drink.

“This demonstrates that the company is taking account of the emerging evidence regarding the impact sugar has on weight gain and oral health in children.”

The soft drink was launched in 1901 under the name Strachan’s Brew.

The name was originally supposed to be Iron Brew but proposed branding laws forced Barr’s in July 1946 to alter the name as the drink is not actually brewed. The new ‘Irn-Bru’ trademark was first registered on Thursday 18th July 1946.

The secret ingredient is known by only three people in the world, creator Robin Barr; Robin’s daughter, Julie Barr and one other board member.

Some claim the trio will never travel on the same plane, just in case.

Irn-Bru is also known for its apparently magical restorative powers as a hangover cure and this prompted Billy Connolly to write and release an ode dedicated to Mr and Mrs Barr “for saving my life on so many Sunday mornings” in his 1975 album ‘Cop Yer Whack For This’.