MOORHOUSE'S Brewery has appointed a new managing director charged with modernising the brand.

The historic Burnley firm has recruited Lee Williams has previously had success at Thwaites and Marston’s where he played major roles in the success of beers such as Wainwright and 13 Guns.

Mr Williams who has been given the task of building a ‘modern, contemporary’ beer brewer, said he ‘could not wait’ to begin.

He said: “Opportunities like this do not come around that often.

“At the heart of this business is an excellent range of beers and coupled with executive chairman Ian Parkinson's ambition and support, Moorhouse’s is well positioned to achieve success across the coming months and years. I can’t wait to begin this new venture.”

Moorhouse’s previous boss, David Grant, left in March last year after a 14-year career with the firm in which he oversaw production rise from just 35 barrels a week to 1,000.

Under Mr Grant the brewery reached £6million in value thanks to agreements he negotiated with leading pub companies including Punch, Enterprise and JD Wetherspoon and supermarkets.

Mr Parkinson said Mr Williams would build on the brewery’s proud history of success.

He said: “I’m delighted to welcome Lee aboard and I’m really looking forward to working with him.

"Moorhouse's has a first-class reputation for brewing quality beer and is one of the leading brewers here in the North of England.

“Lee’s appointment is our commitment to fully develop our potential in what is today a very dynamic and exciting beer market.

“Lee will be charged with delivering commercial success and establishing Moorhouse's as a modern, contemporary beer brewer.”

When he departed last year Mr Grant said: “When I joined the brewery, despite our Black Cat beer having won the Champion Beer of Britain in 2000, the business was at a very low ebb indeed.

“I very much believe that Moorhouse’s beers are amongst the best in the country and deserve to be enjoyed in pubs throughout the land.”

On his departure Mr Parkinson paid tribute to Mr Grant and thanked him for his contribution.

He said: “Mr Grant did a great job for the firm and a great job for Burnley.”

Chamber of Commerce boss Mike Damms also praised Mr Grant.