A NEW beer company celebrating the area's horse racing history is supporting a local charity which helps those working in the industry.

The Horsetown Beer Company currently has four locally-brewed fine ales - Whitewall Golden Bitter, Malton Races Dark Bitter, Highfield Gallops Apple Cider and Blink Bonny Lager.

All beers come in 500ml bottles, kegs and casks and from every bottle and pint sold, five pence is donated to Racing Welfare in Malton, which provides help and support to anyone who is working, or has worked in the thoroughbred horse-racing and breeding industry.

Owner Howard Kinder, said: "From my research we are the first company in the UK to produce horse-racing beers and I am pleased to say through our sales I expect to donate in the region of £4,000 annually to Racing Welfare."

"All the beers are on sale in the local pubs, bars and shops and we also have a number of outlets in the surrounding areas that sell our products as well."

Howard said that since the company was set up in July 2016 it had more than 2000 bottles/pints and the beers were becoming extremely popular.

"In September, the Fitzwilliam Estate invited us to run the public bar at the Malton Seafood and Game Festival which was attended by over 6,000 people. They were so pleased with our products and service they have invited us back to run the bar at their Christmas event.

"I also obtained an agreement to supply beers to the Deepdale Farm Wedding Company in Keldholme, North Yorkshire and this continues for 2017.

"All our growth has come from the local community and we also have the support of a number of local trainers."

Howard, who also works part time at Richard Fahey's yard in Malton, has now set up his own website and in the last month the company has started selling by mail order.

His son Harry, who is a jockey, will be sponsored by Horsetown Beers for the 2016/17 season and will carry all the branding on his race riding equipment.

Howard said: "Nationally there are three other ‘Horsetowns’ in the UK - Middleham, Newmarket and Lambourn.

"The plan is to replica the same business model into these three areas. Currently we are working on four beers to celebrate the horse racing history past and present for Middleham."