A small Gloucestershire brewery which was set up just three years ago has been named as the best regional brewery in the UK and Ireland.

Hillside Brewery in Longhope has been singled out for praise by beer sommelier Melissa Cole.

Melissa writes extensively about beer and judges beer competitions all over the world.

She said family-run Hillside Brewery brews "classic British beers in breath-taking surroundings with outdoor pursuits on site."

Hillside Brewery is run by Paul Williamson and his father Peter who set the business up in 2014 with the mission of creating classic ales and craft specials in a brewery that is part of the community.

Paul said they were delighted to win the accolade from Melissa Cole who was especially fond of Hillside's full-bodied single-hop malty dark mild, Over The Hill.

"We deliver within an hour's drive of the brewery," said Paul. "We are passionate about creating good beers and that is why people seek them out."

For a long time the big breweries dominated the beer market but now that is changing with the emergence of small craft breweries.

"There is a big resurgence in the popularity of fine beers," said Paul. The brewery also provides tours, experience days and other activities.

www.hillsidebrewery.com