A BOLTON brewery is toasting success after scooping a top award at a prestigious beer festival.

Bank Top Brewery, based in Astley Bridge, was awarded first place in the mild category for its Bank Top Dark Mild ale at Lancaster Beer Festival, which was celebrating its 25th anniversary.

This is the third year in a row that the Dark Mild has landed the prize.

Brewery boss David Sweeney said he was ‘delighted’ that the consistency and quality of the beer had been recognised again.

The 51-year-old, from Sharples, said: “It is highly satisfying and shows the consistency that we have managed to achieve.

“It has been a real team effort by everyone at the brewery.”

The award caps a successful period for the brewery after one of its pubs, the Bank Top Brewery Tap won the seal of approval from real ale enthusiasts to be named the best pub in Bolton by members of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

The pub was also named CAMRA’s best cider pub in Bolton in 2013.

Mr Sweeney said: “We have had three great awards — they say good things come in three’s but I am hoping we can keep going and add to what we have done.”