It's perhaps a long way to go for a pint - but staff at a Powys brewery were delighted to fire up the pumps for a visit from the Secretary of State for Wales this week.

Montgomery firm Monty's Brewery hosted a visit from Simon Hart MP, who was joined by Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams for a tour of the brewery and to hear about the business' plans for rebuilding exports following the pandemic.

The Secretary of State also visited Brongain Farm in Llanfechain; the Canal Wharf in Welshpool and Montgomery Waters in Churchstoke.

"Having previously been a resident of Montgomery, it was fantastic to return to Montgomeryshire and to see the very exiting plans to restore the Montgomery Canal to its former glory years," said Hart.

"It is truly one of the UK’s most beautiful areas, and I was thrilled to be able to visit some of the constituency including some of Wales and the UK’s biggest success stories.

"Montgomeryshire is central to the UK Government’s plans for a more visible and active role in Wales, not least through the Mid Wales Growth Deal and the Levelling Up Fund.

"These are the opportunities that will bring real investment, real growth and real jobs to these fantastic communities for years to come."

Russ Honeyman, Commercial Director for Montys Brewery, said it had been a great opportunity for the business to discuss their future plans with the Secretary of State for Wales and the Montgomeryshire MP.

He said they had been able to show the Minister an export pallet containing the first order for the company's gluten free range of beers, to the biggest gluten free distributor in Holland, a contract which has been secured over the last few months.

"It was a pleasure to show The Secretary of State for Wales and Craig Williams around our brewery and to talk about our plans for export and the future, they showed great interest in our plans," he said.

"Of course after talks we had a taster and tried our summer beer Desert Rats, where we donate 5p a pint to SSAFA, The Armed Forces Charity, the Secretary of State was very impressed with that as an Ex Army man!"

Commenting after the Secretary of State’s visit, Craig Williams MP added: "It was brilliant to welcome the Secretary of State to Montgomeryshire. During his stay he visited a number of Montgomeryshire’s success stories across the constituency, including Greg & Dawn Pickstock’s Farm at Llanfechain, a great family business and big exporters.

"This was followed by visits to Montgomery Waters in Churchstoke, one of the UK’s leading water bottling companies, whose Stretton Hills brand will soon be stocked in Tesco stores across Wales; and to Monty’s Brewery in Montgomery, one of Wales’ finest breweries, where we met with owners Russ & Pam Honeyman to hear about their plans for growth and of course sample their beers!"