YORK-BASED brewer Andy Herrington has secured a deal with Costcutter, meaning his bottled beers will be on sale in and around the city.

Mr Herrington, who runs Ainsty Ales, teamed up with the supermarket chain, which is based in Dunnington and which will stock the beers in its branches in the greater York area.

Mr Herrington, who is looking to developer a brewery in the old Ainsty area, which incorporates parts of west York and land to the west, said: "As a York-lad trying to build a local brewery in the area, I’m very pleased that a very local supermarket like Costcutters have decided to support Ainsty Ales by stocking our bottled ales.

"It will hopefully give people the chance to try our ales at home and then try and pint or two of it in the pub!

"Having the support and backing of another local and established business like Costcutter is very important because it gives us backing and confidence to move forward with our plans for the business. It’s always been our plan to establish a microbrewery in the old Ainsty area as this fits in well with the Ainsty “story & brand”. We’re very excited as talks have started regarding this."

Mr Herrington is currently working on a chocolate porter, a collaboration project with Choc-Affair in Naburn. He hopes to launch it at Coptoberfesst, a charity beer festival in Copmanthorpe.

Last year's event raised £2,000 for St Leonard's Hospice, St Giles Church and two local groups in Copmanthorpe. This year's event is on October 16 and 17

There will be 30 local cask ales, local ciders, wine, soft-drinks and snacks

There will also be children’s activities in the beer-garden of the Royal Oak and entertainment on the Friday evening and Saturday. Tickets are £5, which includes a festival glass, programme and first drink. Tickets are on Sale at Copmanthorpe Post Office and Co-op from October 1.