Burnley's Moorhouse’s Brewery is celebrating after winning a top national award.

Its new £4.2m complex in Burnley was judged Best Business Development at the SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) Business Awards.

The awards were open to more than 500 member brewers.

MD David Grant said: “We are very proud to bring this top business award to Burnley.

“This praise from our brewing peers ends our first year of trading on a very high note as we gain new sales and look forward to an exciting future.”

At the prestigious awards pres-entation in London, SIBA chief executive Julian Grocock said: “Within the world of British independent brewing, the judges could find no better example of exemplary business dev-elopment and no better statement of faith in and commitment to this manufacturing industry.

“Having a dream is one thing. Getting it backed by your board of directors is another.

“Seeing it brought to fruition is perhaps as good as it gets, but that’s what happened to the MD of Moorhouse’s.

“Creating their own buoyant ‘not-so-micro’ climate within the dismal one depressing the rest of the country meant spiralling sales at 17 per cent per year.”

The opening of the complex has seen the workforce doubled to more than 40.

It includes a high-tech visitor centre, with bar and restaurant, and premier training school.