FRIENDS and business colleagues raised their glasses to brewery boss Bobby Neame to mark his formal retirement.

The former chief executive and chairman of the 300-year-old Faversham brewery Shepherd Neame has bowed out after spending most of his working life with the family firm.

However, Mr Neame will be maintaining close links with the company in his new role as president.

His retirement party was held at Brompton Barracks in Gillingham. Guests included pub landlords, brewing industry specialists, Shepherd Neame colleagues and business people from across the county.

Edwin Boorman, president of the Kent Messenger Group (KMG), and his wife Jan were also at the event. Mr Neame paid tribute to the help he had received from the KMG over the years.

A senior member of the Fuller brewing family proposed a toast to Mr Neame. He spoke about the enormous expansion of the brewery under Mr Neame’s stewardship, and also paid tribute to his charity and community work.

Mr Neame, a former leader of Kent County Council, was presented with a picture of the brewery, as well as other gifts from licensees.