THE Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire has been shown the outcome of an ambitious investment programme recently completed by one of Keighley's most renowned companies.

Dr Ingrid Roscoe, accompanied by High Sheriff Annie Dent, visited Timothy Taylor and Co's Knowle Spring brewery last Wednesday. (Oct 15)

They, alongside a party of other guests, had been invited to view the conclusion of the £12 million five-year investment.

Also present was Keighley town mayor Councillor Graham Mitchell.

A spokesman for the brewery said: "Dr Roscoe was welcomed by our managing director Charles Dent. She and the party were then given a guided tour of the brewery by our head brewer Peter Eells."

The group viewed the company's new boiler, built by Keighley business Byworth Boilers, and buildings and offices, constructed by another Keighley firm – RN Wooler and Co.

The visitors toured new barrel handling, washing and racking equipment, produced by Microdat, of Leeds, and fermenting vessels built by Bibby's, of Halifax.

Guests included representatives from the local firms contracted to carry out the expansion and development programme.

The new, industrial boiler itself cost half a million pounds, and can run on either natural gas or light oil. It was installed earlier this year and the brewery says it will allow it to save money on fuel costs, as well as release less carbon dioxide into the environment.

Timothy Taylor's expansion has also seen it buy and develop a transport depot, undertake a £2.7 million brewery extension and build a cold hop store and effluent treatment plant.

Commenting after the Lord-Lieutenant's tour, Mr Dent said: "She was impressed with every project and individual. She showed a huge level of interest, energy and enthusiasm for everything related to Yorkshire and was fascinated by the different skills and trades that exist in Keighley.

"We're very proud to have completed the investment programme, and to have done so using local experts. To have the Lord-Lieutenant then come and visit us is the ultimate accolade.

"We're still keeping our 15-year-old boiler as a back-up. It is alright, but things have advanced since it was first designed and we've saved on having to spend a lot of money upgrading its controls and burners.

"The new boiler is much more efficient and uses 10 per cent less fuel. It gives us the capacity to grow our trade if we get the demand."

Last Wednesday's tour also gave the visitors a chance to see the brewery's transport depot and new, refrigerated hop store.

They then enjoyed a buffet lunch at the Lord Rodney Pub, in Keighley town centre, before visiting Byworth Boilers' premises, in Parkwood Street.