by Claire Gregory and Katie Lamborn

Traditional beer-making is making a comeback in Kent, the Campaign for Real Ale revealed today.

According to a study, more breweries have opened in Kent than anywhere else in the South East in the past year.

Paul Bournazian, 54, has set up the Tonbridge brewery in Tudeley.

He said: "After 30 years in sales and marketing I'd had enough of corporate life so decided to convert my double garage."

The Whiteoaks resident's microbrewery is one of nine that have popped up in the South East over the past 12 months.

Five have opened in Kent in Penhurst, Rolvenden, Tunbridge Wells, and Hersden.

"I think there was a real lack of microbrewies in the county," said Mr Bournazian.

"It's why a number of people including myself saw it as an opportunity."

"It's also a question of momentum - as more good quality ales become available more people become interested.

"But Kent will always be synonymous with beer because of its fame for hop growing which seems to be gradually building back up."

Good beer Guide Editor Roger Protz said: "The real ale revolution goes on it spite of all the problems facing the brewery industry.

"These include the often anti-competitive behaviour of the large pub companies, the heavy and continuing rise in tax on beer, grossly unfair competition from supermarkets, and the smoking ban in pubs.

"Yet, against all odds, craft breweries continue to sprout like mushrooms at dawn."

There are 767 breweries operating in Britain which is four times the number than when the Campaign for Real Ale was founded in 1971.