LEADING food and drink writers from China enjoyed a taste of North Yorkshire during a visit to the Black Sheep Brewery.

The journalists took a tour the Masham brewery, tasted the flock of ales it produces and were treated to lunch in the Visitor Centre’s bistro.

The visit came hot on the heels of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne’s visit to China to promote the North of England, and was designed to help raise the profile of the best that Yorkshire and the UK has to offer.

The visitors were also joined by British food and drink broadcaster and writer Olly Smith.

The brewery’s managing director, Rob Theakston, said: “To be selected to host this important delegation of Chinese journalists was a huge honour and a reflection of the high quality of the award-winning ales we produce here at Black Sheep Brewery.

“This visit was a great opportunity to showcase the best of Yorkshire and the UK, because not only did the journalists love our beer, they were treated to some fantastic local produce during their lunch in the bistro.

“There has been a lot of talk of trade with China, thanks to the Chancellor’s visit, and we are proud to be a part of selling the UK to overseas markets.”