AN award-winning year has reached a head with the appointment of new staff members at a North Yorkshire Brewery.

Family run Wold Top Brewery , based near Driffield, has hired four new recruits across different departments, increasing the staff total to 16, excluding directors.

Three of the employees are from Bridlington; Nigel Wilson assists wherever he is needed, Ben Costello works in sales and technical support and Oliver Pratley, the youngest member of the team aged 20, joins as accounts assistant, while Paddy Pennock, from Langdale End, has been taken on as farm hand and brewery assistant.

Kate Balchin, accounts and export manager, is pleased with the new team members, and said: "Everyone in our staff always works really hard and these men are no exception - they have bonded well and become valued team members in a short space of time."

Mr Costello said: "Being part of the family is a great thing about working here as well as the different range of tasks. Of course, the free beer is also another positive."

Mr Pratley enjoys the camaraderie at Wold Top Brewery and said: "The thing I have found working here is that within this one company, there are so many genuinely nice people who are all willing to help you when you need it."

Wold Top Brewery recently enjoyed a hugely successful awards season including claiming overall Business of the Year and the Best Small Business Award at the York Press Business Awards, as well as other local press awards.

They also gained national acclaim at the British Farming Awards in Droitwich where they were awarded Diversification Innovator of the Year.