BLACKBURN’S Daniel Thwaites has appointed a new head brewer for its range of more than a dozen craft beers.

Brian Yorston starts on Monday taking charge of a team of four producing a firm’s range of specialist and seasonal ales.

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He has held senior positions in a number of major breweries including 11 years as head brewer at celebrated real ale producer Wadworths in Devizes in Wiltshire, makers of CAMRA favourite 6X.

Mr Yorston recently led the development of new micro-brewery the Fat Brewer in Co Durham.

His appointment follows the retirement of Thwaites head brewer Steve Fielding after 40 years’ service.

He will supervise the production of up to 20 regular and seasonal craft beers over the year including regulars Nutty Black, Lil Bewdy, Big Ben and Crafty Dan.

Mr Yorston will also oversee the brewing of Thwaites’ range of seasonal beers which this month includes Bird Dock and Spiced Rack and next month sees the introduction of Yule Love It.

The company’s two main bulk beers – Wainwright Golden Ale and Lancaster Bomber – are brewed under licence by Marstons in the Midlands.

Thwaites chief executive Rick Bailey, said: “We have appointed an experienced head brewer in Brian.

“This is good news and shows our commitment to brewing in Blackburn and East Lancashire.”

Mr Bailey confirmed that Thwaites plans to move the remaining brewing operations from Blackburn’s 200-year-old town centre Star Brewery to Sykes Holt at Mellor Brook, just off the A59, remained ‘on hold’.

A review into the planned move was launched by the company in August after concerns over ‘significant infrastructure costs’ to develop the new site. Other undisclosed locations were also being looked into.