ARCHERS Brewery has been saved by a local entrepreneur.

The administrators Price- waterhouse Coopers, were appointed in May and they have sold the business and assets of Archers Brewery Limited to John Williams, who is based in Swindon.

This sale means the administrators have secured the ongoing employment of the staff at the Penzance Drive site.

David Bennett, director and joint administrator at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Reading, said: "We are very pleased to have been able to save both the brand and the jobs of local people.

"We have been trading the business for a short period of time which has allowed us to ensure that the business was sold as a going concern."

New owner Mr Williams said: "We have acquired the business because of the high reputation Archers holds within the marketplace. I am delighted to own an excellent range of beers, backed by a dedicated team at the brewery in Swindon."

Established in 1979, the Swindon-based brewery has been handcrafting and brewing award-winning ales for more 25 years. Archers brews more than 190 different ales, making them a producer of one of the largest range of cask ales worldwide.