I always thought my town needed something like this so I quit my job to make it happen

Paul Bardsley always thought his hometown needed a brewery so he quit his job to start one.

After leaving behind a career in horticulture, Paul founded Southport Brewery in 2004, drawing on a lifetime passion for craft ale. Now, as it marks 20 years of making beer, the brewery can claim to be the oldest still operating in Merseyside.

The brewery is known for its traditional beers like winter ale Old Shrimper, best bitter Golden Sands and Sandgrounder Bitter, which was the first it ever brewed. Southport's cask ales can be found in bars across Merseyside, catering to the more old-fashioned drinker.

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Paul, 62, and his colleague Paul Crawford now run the operation from the Enterprise Business Park in Blowick, alongside part-time members of staff. Paul Bardsley spoke to the ECHO about his time at the brewery.

He said: "I just wanted to change career. I'd worked in horticulture - I was a nursery worker - but I'd always had an interest in beer.

"I thought it was time that Southport had a brewery and I thought I'd give it a go. Now, 20 years on, we're still here and I think we're the oldest in Merseyside."

A number of breweries have been established in Merseyside in the 21st century, with many among the craft beer boom of the 2010s. Merseyside's historical breweries like Cains and Higsons no longer make beer, which means Southport is now the oldest still operating, with Wirral's Brimstage Brewery the second oldest at 18 years.

Paul is proud that the brewery has stood the test of time. He has also noticed many changes during his two decades in the industry.

He said: