A WHISKY operator is offering the public £1m worth of shares.

The Lakes Distillery says the money will be used to produce whisky for stock and invest in new warehousing and distribution facilities.

The £1m of shares represents the final tranche of a £10m Enterprise Investment Scheme capital investment programme.

It will be available in smaller quantities via Crowdcube, which allows a minimum investment of £10.

The Lakes Distillery started trading three years ago and bosses say it has already produced £30m worth of whisky at retail, which equates to 600,000 bottles.

Co-founder and chairman Nigel Mills, who is also chairman of the Gateshead-based Entrepreneurs’ Forum, said: “Our first investors, made up of high net worth individuals, continue to invest but we have decided to reach out to the public, which has been so supportive in our first few years.

“I am confident this next round of investment will prove popular and successful.”

Fellow co-founder and managing director Paul Currie, added: “The Lakes Distillery is a unique British enterprise challenging established distillers with a range of new products.”