WHEN Oakwell Brewery closed last May, beer lovers thought it would mark the end for the historic Barnsley Bitter brewed in the town for 150 years.

But for two Barnsley lads, it was far from the end of the road and they determined not to let the legendary beer disappear - even though it is now being brewed in far flung Sheffield.

Thomas Gill, 24, and Dr Adam Hague, 25, decided to buy the redundant brewing equipment from Oakwell and then set about looking for somewhere to brew.

They, along with the former Oakwell head brewer, Jonathan Stancill, insist the softer water in Sheffield makes for a better taste and is the main reason for them setting up the Stancill Brewery in the city.

It is named after Jonathan, who has more than 30 years' experience in the industry and was head brewer at Oakwell in the ten years up to its closure.