A GIN company whose premises was devastated by fire ensured they still had a special tipple prepared for the Bedale Tour de Yorkshire stage winners.

Masons Gin distillery was ravaged by fire in early April but the Bedale-based company did not let that stop them from producing special bottles of gin for winning cyclists Lorena Wiebes and Rick Zabel.

Host local authority Hambleton District Council worked with Masons to create the exclusive Tour de Yorkshire gin to give to the two stage winners who crossed the finish line in the town on Friday.

Masons has been based in Bedale since it was set up six years ago by Karl and Cathy Mason – they are currently working out of Bedale Hall and the Leeming Bar Industrial Estate following the April fire.

Mr Mason said: “Despite the fire setting us back we were determined to get some gin created for the TDY women's and men's winners - Masons Gin is now an established part of Bedale so it seemed like a fitting prize.”

Council leader Mark Robson said they were proud to present the prizes to the winners and praised Bedale residents for the reception they gave the cyclists.