A craft gin maker is hoping to raise more than £750,000 in a crowdfunding campaign.

Anno Distillers was founded in Marden in 2011 and wants to grow revenues and production after increasing sales by 45% each year since it sold its first gin in 2013.

Its founders Dr Andrew Reason and Dr Norman Lewis launched the fundraising initiative on Monday and had already raised a more than a third of their target on the opening day.

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The former GlaxoSmithKline scientists say investors, who can put in as little as £100, can “be part of the gin revolution” which has seen sales reach a record £1 billion in the UK last year.

The pair want to use the investment, in exchange for 25% equity in the company, to change the business “from a product-led to a sales-led company” as they aim to capitalise on growing thirst for luxury gin.

Total sales across the country are expected to exceed £1.3 billion by 2020, outstripping blended whiskey, while UK exports are predicted to pass £500 million this year.

Dr Reason said: “Our ambition for Anno Distillers is to create a luxury British spirits brand drawing on our experience as research and development chemists managing international groups in one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.

“More and more discerning consumers are willing to pay for high quality and innovation.

“These factors are fuelling premiumisation of the gin market, rapid growth in the craft sector and erosion of the market share of mass-produced spirits.

“Anno Distillers is well placed to satisfy this growing need and to take a greater share of the expanding market opportunity.”

WATCH: Distiller sets up crowdfunding campaign

If the campaign on crowdfunding website Seedrs is successful, the company will expand its sales team and increase marketing efforts.

Its bosses also want to increase its production capacity to meet increasing demand, which they believe can increase annual turnover to £2.4 million by 2020.

To date, all investment in plant, premises and staff has been self-funded.

The motivation to raise the money through crowdfunding is part of the company’s marketing strategy.

Dr Reason said he wants investors “to act as brand ambassadors to spread the word about Anno products”.

Since launching, the company has received more than 20 awards and accolades, which its founders say its thanks to their scientific background in the distillation process.

Its customers include Majestic Wines, English Heritage, Shepherd Neame and Booker.

Dr Lewis added: “Our products are high-quality, complex, involving and very smooth.”