A REDUNDANT cider mill in Herefordshire is to become a showcase facility for the area's award-winning Wye Valley Brewery.

Symonds' Cider Mill owner Peter Amor has bought the village centre property from Bulmers and will next month transfer brewing from The Barrels in St Owen Street, Hereford, to Stoke Lacy.

He plans to treble production within three years.

The village craft brewery, together with a visitors centre, will create two new jobs as well as opportunities for part-time work and a boost to tourism and the economy in a rural area.

"We are delighted Wye Valley Brewery is taking over the site and maintaining the tradition of making drinks there," said Bulmers' group operations director Ian Kirkhope.

"It is a perfect use for the property and will be a great asset to the village."

Mr Amor, who trained as a brewer with Guinness and originally came to Hereford as transport manager at Bulmers, founded Wye Valley Brewery 16 years ago. His range of Wye Valley Bitters, Dorothy Goodbody and Butty Bach as well as Wholesome Stout have won countless Gold Medals for excellence at CAMRA beer festivals.

"The success of Wye Valley Brewery in recent years resulted in us long ago requiring much bigger premises, but until now we could not find anything suitable," said Mr Amor.

"The old Symonds' site with its long tradition of cider making and roadside position between Hereford and Bromyard is tailor-made to establish a new craft brewery incorporating a visitors centre and tasting bar.

"The current consolidation among the big brewers creates a golden opportunity for smaller regional brewers such as Wye Valley to brew specialised cask conditioned beers."

His beers are already sold throughout England and Wales.

"Our aim is to create a major new tourist attraction but equally we want to work closely with the village and become an integral part of village life in Stoke Lacy," added Mr Amor.