A fast-growing Cornish brewery is all set to build on record trading levels with its next stage of major expansion including providing more jobs.

Truro-based Skinners Brewery has just recruited two more employees to take its workforce up to 30 for the first time in its ten-year history.

It has launched an on-line shop and an expanded range of drinks and related products for sale over the internet as part of an all-new state-of-the-art website.

Additional capacity has been installed and further heavy investment in the winter is being planned to meet the anticipated continued increase in demand. The company is looking to double its capacity in three years, with more new jobs in the pipeline.

It is currently enjoying sales increases of 45 per cent for all its ales, with Betty Stogs and Cornish Knocker leading the way in volume, and with sales of its other products also 35 to 40 per cent up.

"We anticipate that 75 per cent of our trade will continue to be done in Cornwall, where our heart is and where it will stay," said managing director Steve Skinner.

"Overall, we are just managing to cope with demand at the moment, and there is every indication that our business volumes will continue to grow quite substantially."

The company, set up by Steve and his wife Sarah, moved to its present premises in Newham Road - from a converted garage in the same road - in 2003.