John Smith's brewery in North Yorkshire received a massive boost today with the announcement that it is to take over production from another site in the south west.

John Smith's Brewery in Tadcaster

It will mean more jobs and an increase in production at the brewery, and new lines not brewed before in the town.

There will be additional work for the existing staff, with production expected to rise by around 15 per cent.

The Tadcaster brewery is Scottish Courage's flagship plant, and already produces the nation's best-selling ale, John Smith's.

Now it will take over production of Courage Best Bitter, and Directors, within six months.

Scottish Courage's corporate affairs director Richard Gibb said: "This move will strengthen the future of our flagship Tadcaster brewery, and shows our commitment to the town.

"Tadcaster, which is already an essential part of the company, now becomes even more important in the group's production operations."

But joy for the North Yorkshire arm of the company was tempered by sadness at the closure of one of its seven other plants.

Tadcaster is taking over production from the company's Bristol site, which is its only brewery solely making cask-conditioned ales.

The Bristol plant has been in operation since 1702, but had recently been running at only 60 per cent of capacity.

More than 70 jobs will go as a result of the closure, which parent company Scottish Courage blamed on falling sales of cask-conditioned ales.

Managing director Tom Ward said the company "deeply regretted" that the Bristol brewery was to stop production, and said employees "would be treated with as much care, sensitivity and practical assistance as possible."

Tadcaster's new mayor Steve Helsdon said the announcement was a "shot in the arm" for the town.

Job gains at Tadcaster, which are not thought to total more than ten, will be in packaging.

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