Faversham brewer and pub giant Shepherd Neame has been given the royal seal of approval by the King.

The firm has been granted use of the Royal Warrant - awarded to companies who regularly supply goods or services to the Royal household for a minimum of five consecutive years.

King Charles first granted a Royal Warrant to the Faversham-based brewer in 1998, in his former role as the Prince of Wales, for Grant’s Morella Cherry Brandy.

In 2014, the Prince of Wales gave permission for the Royal Warrant to be used on bottles of Shepherd Neame’s Spitfire Amber Ale.

Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame said: “We have a long association with the Royal Family, and are incredibly proud to be among the first UK businesses to be awarded a Royal Warrant by His Majesty King Charles III.

“It’s wonderful to have our efforts recognised with this special honour.”