A SMALL Yorkshire Dales business has been praised by an MP for the big impact it has made during the pandemic.

Richmond MP and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, visited Spirits of Swaledale in upper Swaledale to see how business founder Ian Purves had fared with his new enterprise.

The business produce a range of gins and rums in a stone barn between Keld and Muker using local Springwater.

During the early stages of the pandemic they switched to producing hand sanitiser for local distribution.

Mr Sunak said: "It is inspiring to see a business like Spirit of Swaledale become established in really challenging times and achieving success."