A LANDMARK has been marked by a brewery based in a town made famous by the local beer more than 200 years ago.

Wiveliscombe's Cotleigh Brewery is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a range of new ales, the first of which, Amadeus, has already hit the pubs.

The company was started in 1979 at Cotleigh Farmhouse, in Washfield, near Tiverton, before moving to Wiveliscombe, where it was run for 20 years by John Aries. Current owner Stephen Heptinstall took over in 2002.

He said: "There have been many changes over the last 16 years in the brewing industry with a huge influx of new breweries, growing from 400 to 2,000 nationally with some of the best emerging in the South West of England.

"Cotleigh Brewery is thriving in the new and competitive market and I believe this is down to our ethos for producing a quality beer, with a regular flow of new and interesting beers being added to the Cotleigh portfolio."

Popular core brands include Tawny, Commando Hoofing, Barn Owl and Buzzard.

Head brewer, Guy Baddeley said: "The secret to our success is simple. If it’s not perfect, it won’t go out. 2019 is a very special year for us and we are delighted that Cotleigh beers are still as popular as ever across the UK."

William Hancock established a brewery in Wiveliscombe in 1807.