FOR a brewer, a little knowledge can be an expensive thing.

That is what angry Selby entrepreneur Jules Dolan discovered when he was lured into a brewing course by an offer of a 50 per cent grant towards the cost by the Learning And Skills Council North Yorkshire.

Mr Dolan, 48, who has been trying to build up his one-man Abbey Bells Brewery in Main Road, Hirst Courtney, near Selby, while maintaining his full-time job as a shift operator at St Gobain glass plant, claims a delay in payment by the LSC of its £234.99 share has been a "massive setback" for him.

He said: "I've been forced to go beyond my overdraft limit and have so far accrued £210 in bank charges.

"Any more delay and my penalties will have completely wiped out the grant. How can that make sense?"

Mr Dolan has now received an unreserved apology from the LSC North Yorkshire, who said that laxness was due to sickness and promised that "any direct costs he has incurred as a result of this will be looked at sympathetically".

Mr Dolan launched Abbey Bells Brewery in 2002, funding it by selling his motorbike.

Now, using cellar tanks from the defunct Brigg Brewery on the site, he brews up to 180 gallons per fortnight of brands such as Monday's Child and Hoppy Days for about 40 pubs in the North.

He said the offer of a 50 per cent grant for the Team Food brewing course in Sunderland was attractive. He would not have been able to afford it otherwise.

He had to pay the full amount, but was told he could get half of it back.

He submitted his claim on November 25.

"I had the impression that it would be paid to me by bank transfer in a couple of days, so I paid my bills as normal but now, 46 days later and counting, and I am still totting up the cost.

"When I broke through my overdraft limit I was hit by a £75 penalty plus £20 for every transaction.

"For example, I paid £14.10 for printing on pump clips and was charged £20. Another three cheques have gone in for which I can also be expected to pay an extra £60."

A spokeswoman for LSC North Yorkshire said: "It is no consolation to him, but this is the first case of its kind in our four year history."

Updated: 11:38 Wednesday, January 12, 2005