THE success of its Black Cat award-winning beer has resulted in a £30,000 investment at Moorhouse's Brewery.

The independent brewery, which has six of its own pubs in the Burnley area, is also looking to extend the number of outlets in its tied estate, it was announced at a trade day at the Sparrow Hawk Hotel, Burnley, yesterday.

Bottled Black Cat also has a new style label with a revamped look for the popular Pendle Witches Brew.

Customers lapping up Black Cat since it was named Supreme Champion of Britain resulted in the brewery moving its expansion plans forward.

It has spent £30,000 on two new 30-barrel fermenting vessels to increase brewing capacity to 270 barrels a week and carried out a major upgrade to the refrigeration system.

The brewery has also invested in a 7.5 tonne Mercedes delivery lorry, registration X15CAT and has bought 55 new barrels.

General manager Neil Craig told guests: "Since Black Cat won the Supreme Championship award we have seen a constant rise in demand alongside the continuing popularity of our other award-winning ales."

The brewery was looking to further raise their profile through pub aquisitions especially where they already had a strong free trade presence such as Preston, Oldham and Skipton. Moorhouse's was founded on its present site in Moorhouse Street, Burnley, in 1865 producing mineral waters.

It only began brewing full-strength cask conditioned beers in the 1970s. After several difficult years it began to prosper under the ownership of local businessman Bill Parkinson.

Mr Parkinson paid tribute to brewer Peter Gouldsborough.

He said Peter was modest about his achievements but was meticulous in his preparation and fanatical in his attention to detail. "We are very fortunate to have such talent at the brewery," he added.

Moorhouse's produce special ales throughout the year including the current offering Easter Ale at 4.6 strength.