A BREWERY in York has teamed up with Virgin East Coast to create a new beer for sale on the firm's trains.

Hop on Board has been brewed by Rudgate Brewery at Tockwith. The company hopes to sell more than 55,000 bottles on its services this year.

Craig Lee from Rudgate said: "It’s hugely exciting to be working with Virgin Trains to provide their customers with an exclusive beer. We have created a brew that perfectly complements the picturesque scenery customers experience when travelling with Virgin Trains.’’

Virgin East Coast is York-based and said it deliberately chose a York-based brewery to work with, to support local business.

Alison Watson, director of customer experience at Virgin Trains, said: "Working alongside the Rudgate Brewery, we have created an ale full of flavour and charisma that epitomises the Virgin Trains spirit and the ‘hoptimist’s’ outlook on life – with us the glass is always half full.’’

The beer sells for £4 a bottle.