STAFF at a town's new brewery have raised their glasses of real ale to thank South Tyneside Council for its business support.

The Robin Hood pub, in Primrose Hill, Jarrow, now has a small brewery on the premises after undergoing a £220,000 transformation. It is the first brewery to be set up in the town for more than 100 years and when it opens next month, regulars will be able to sample real ales brewed on the premises.

Business advisors from South Tyneside economic development team and the Tyneside Economic Development Company (Tedco) helped pub and brewery managers Jess and Alison McConnell access cash help to go towards buying specialist-brewing equipment.

When fully operational, staff from the Jarrow Brewing Company will use the brewing equipment to produce 11,520 pints a week.

The beer will not only be sold at the refurbished pub, but also produced for other local outlets.

Although Mr and Mrs McConnell have more than 20 years experience in the pub trade, they each went on an eight-month course to learn how to perfect the art of brewing real ale.

Mr McConnell said: "It's great to see our plans finally get off the drawing board. It has taken a great deal of planning and it was nice to get such a great deal of support from South Tyneside Council."

Eddie McAtominey, lead member for corporate affairs with South Tyneside Council, said: "It is a pleasure to toast the success of this exciting venture that brings brewing back to South Tyneside.

"Micro-breweries are proving to be very popular around the country and it would not surprise me if this venture becomes a magnet for tourists visiting the region."

Con Whalen, 91, one of 200 men who took part in the Jarrow March in 1936, will open the pub and brewery next month.

He has also agreed to have one of the first real ales produced by the Jarrow Brewing Company to be named after him.

The last brewery in Jarrow was based near the town's old Mercantile Dock in the 19th Century.

There has been a Robin Hood pub in Primrose Hill since 1824, with the current premises dating back to 1896.