A CHAMPAGNE reception kickstarted the 200th birthday party celebration for Blackburn brewers Thwaites - but there was always a drop of ale close to hand!

Bosses at the Eanam brewery laid on a glittering bash in a marquee at Blackburn Rovers Ewood Park ground for the 330-strong workforce on Saturday evening.

Complete with a ticker-tape parade and an evening of entertainment, it was a fitting way to mark the double century for the brewery, formed in 1807 by Daniel Thwaites.

Everyone from new starters to managing director Brian Hickman joined in the festivities.

Former managing director David Kay was also invited along and welcomed by Thwaites president John Yerburgh and his wife Ann, company chairman.

The Yerburghs are direct descendants of the Thwaites dynasty. Before the present hierarchy, John's grandmother Elma was at the helm for nearly 60 years.

Mr Yerburgh said that the party was an opportunity to pay tribute to their "fantastic family of staff."

He said: "Our business is very much a people business and it's only right that our team at Thwaites share the celebrations as a reward for their contribution to our 200 years of success."

The brewery has launched four special beers in honour of the landmark.

These include Double Century, Wainwright's, after the Lakeland walks author, Flying Shuttle, celebrating the cotton town's heritage and Elma's Pound, in tribute to the former Thwaites head.

Brewery bosses have also commissioned a book, detailing the life and times of the firm, and its impact on Blackburn.

The firm has also named the British Heart Foundation as its bicentenary charity and it is holding events to raise cash over the whole year.