A BREWERY opened in Westerham just six months ago has appointed a leading industry expert to help manage its rapid expansion.

The Westerham Brewery Company, launched last June, sold 2,160 pints (270 gallons) of ale at the brewery gate in the run-up to Christmas and will start selling bottled ales this month.

During its first six months it supplied 77 pubs, clubs and beer festivals with an average of 630 gallons of ale each week.

Now managing director Robert Wicks has named Brian Field, former managing director of Ridley's and managing director of brewing and brands for Greene King, non-executive chairman.

Mr Wicks said: "We are well ahead of my business plan expectations at this stage and I feel the time has come when I need to bounce my ideas off someone who knows the industry well."

The company was launched to resurrect a brewing tradition in Westerham which disappeared 40 years ago.

It is based on the National Trust's Grange Farm in Crockham Hill, near to the site of the old Black Eagle Brewery, and uses the same strains of yeast that were used to brew Black Eagle beers.

Mr Field said: "I have very fond memories of Westerham from an earlier involvement with the depot which was at the Black Eagle Brewery site, and it will be a great pleasure working with such an enthusiastic and passionate advocate of local brewing."