ALE fans who enjoy a pint of Randy Monk or Wolds Delight have their fingers crossed that councillors will give an East Yorkshire brewery the go-ahead.

Two years ago Geoff Cawthray, who owns the Goodmanham Arms, in Goodmanham, transformed a derelict barn and stable into a micro-brewery. Using his expertise, gained from 30 years working for Tetley's in Leeds, he created four beers, which have proved a smash hit with locals.

But the future of the brewery now hangs on a decision by East Riding of Yorkshire Council's planning committee. Two years ago the venture was only given temporary planning permission, so Mr Cawthray is now seeking to make the business permanent.

He said: "I hope this time they will give me permanent planning permission. If they don't, I'll appeal as the brewery hasn't caused any problems for locals."

He said he had invested £30,000 in the business.

The four beers brewed in Goodmanham, Randy Monk, Monk's Revenge, Wolds Delight and Goodman Hammer, were all named by villagers in a competition.

A recent batch of the beers, stocked by several pubs in the Pocklington area, sold out in only ten days while the latest lot, brewed on Thursday, are already selling well.

Mr Cawthray used to produce a batch of the drinks once or twice a week. But in November he found he was struggling to cope with running both the brewery and the pub, so he put the brewery up for sale.

Luckily for local beer fans, the business was saved last month by Peter Southcott, of Thorne, near Doncaster, who agreed to lease both the pub and brewery from Mr Cawthray. The fact that the business has only just been rescued has made Mr Cawthray even more determined to keep the brewery in the village.

He said: "I am still helping Mr Southcott brew the beers. I want it to be a success and there is a lot of local support for it."

He said many villagers had told him they would send letters of support to the council to help the brewery secure permanent planning permission.

Updated: 09:48 Saturday, July 26, 2003