ARTWO RK promoting new beers from Wiveliscombe-based Cotleigh Brewery has been voted the best in Britain.

Cotleigh won first prize at this year's Label of the Year competition held by the International Society of Label Collectors.

Just two months after their launch, the point of sale designs were judged the best in the brewing industry this year.

The new designs for Cotleigh's three main beers - Tawny Bitter, Golden Eagle Best Bitter and Barn Owl Premium Ale - are the work of Taunton based Quantock Design Consultants and feature specially commissioned paintings by local wildlife artist Tim Hayward.

Cotleigh's owner John Aries said: "This competition is open to every brewery in the United Kingdom. We are delighted to have won, particularly as so many of the entries were from larger regional or national brewers whose advertising budgets dwarf our own."

The new designs have also been warmly welcomed by drinkers in around the 250 local pubs who regularly sell Cotleigh beers: "Many landlords have commented that sales of our beers have increased since the new artwork was launched," said John.

This is the third time the brewery has scooped the first prize in the Label of the Year competition.

John said: "We've always tried hard to ensure our beers look every bit as good as they taste!"

Cotleigh Brewery was established 22 years ago and produces around 1.5 million pints of traditional beer a year.