A BREWERY in Bishops Castle that faced going out of existence just a few years ago has continued its revival with a £1 million milestone.

The oldest brewery in England is set to smash the £1m sales barrier for the first time in its history, 10 years since two ale lovers saved it from potential closure.

Three Tuns Brewery has seen the growing popularity of real ale create additional demand for its unique range of beers taken from a secret recipe book, including XXX, 1642 Bitter and Cleric’s Cure.

More than 500 pubs are now stocking the company’s cask conditioned ales, with the next stage of its expansion focusing on building its presence within the Black Country and Staffordshire.

It could all have been so different if local entrepreneurs John Russell and Bill Bainbridge had not stepped in when the brewery was due to be sold and turned into a block of flats.