A UNIQUE signing ceremony has been held at a North Yorkshire brewery with the indenturing of the country’s only apprentice craft brewery cooper.

For the next four years Euan Findlay, 19, will learn his trade at Masham-based brewery T and R Theakston, under the watchful eye of Jonathan Manby, who undertook the same journey more than 20 years ago.

Simon Theakston, the brewery’s executive director, said: "Euan has passed his six-month trial with flying colours and is now officially our apprentice craft brewery cooper.

"To show our commitment to Euan, he is now indentured to us for the next four years. His training will be supervised by Jonathan, who is an incredibly skilled exponent in the art."

He added: "The popularity of craft ale is rising year on year, and it is our aim to supply more of our famous beers to pubs and clubs in traditional wooden casks, which is what our customers want.

"With two brewery craft coopers at Theakston’s, this will well and truly set us apart from any other beer producer in the UK."

The Master of the Worshipful Company of Coopers, Vivian Bairstow, who travelled from Windsor for the ceremony, said: "It is a credit to Theakston’s brewery that it is prepared to invest in Euan Findlay, a young man who, in turn, has shown keenness to pursue a career which will give him lifelong skills.

"The rise in the interest across Britain and elsewhere in real ale is reflected in Theakston’s long-standing faith, not only in the production of traditionally made beer, but also in the splendid product of traditional wooden casks from which to serve it."

Euan, from Bedale, said: "I’ve loved every minute of my six month trial, and now I’m relishing the opportunities that lie ahead."