A PIONEERING gin and whisky distillery is the third of its kind in England to be run on green energy.

Cooper King Distillery, in Sutton-on-the-Forest near Easingwold, will be the country’s smallest and first self-built whisky and gin distillery.

Co-founders Chris Jaume, a chartered architect and Dr Abbie Neilson, a former scientist, have gone into partnership with green energy specialists Ecotricity.

It will begin producing its juniper-led gin and open to the public this spring.

The whisky distillation will follow this summer, with a release date of 2023.

Mr Jaume said: “We are extremely happy with our decision to run on 100 per cent green energy. We are so passionate about ensuring that our actions have a positive impact on the environment and are taking every step we can to operate sustainably.

“It’s great that we are among a select few distilleries in the UK choosing to run solely on green energy; we hope that we can inspire more businesses to make a conscious effort to look at the impact they have on the environment.”

During a visit to Australia, the co-founders became fascinated by Tasmania’s eight operational whisky distilleries and the hand-crafted premium whisky industry.

Following their passion to have a positive impact on the environment, the couple sought out an energy provider with the same values.

With business underway, they pledge to plant a tree for every Founders’ Club membership sold in a mission to emit carbon emissions.