A COMPANY that helps British breweries sell beer overseas has a new manufacturing division in China.

Blackburn-based Sovereign Beverage Company has spent two years establishing the operation in the Asian country, the world’s fastest-growing economy.

The operation has already received an order from Marstons for 20,000 casks, and a total of another 100,000 casks from breweries including Greene King and Wells and Young.

Bosses at Sovereign, of Queen Victoria Street, Mill Hill, said they set up the Chinese facility in response to demand from UK-based brewers.

Managing director David Davies said: “We conducted extensive research in the Chinese market over a 24-month period before establishing a relationship with this particular supplier.

“The first casks have been delivered into the trade and we are delighted with the quality of the product.”

Sovereign was advised on the expansion by NatWest’s international trade finance team.