NORFOLK has been revealed as having the second highest number of breweries in the country as new figures show a surge of growth in the real ale industry.

NORFOLK has been revealed as having the second highest number of breweries in the country as new figures show a surge of growth in the real ale industry.

It has emerged that the UK has more breweries than at any time since the Second World War despite a slump in beer sales and the closure of 50 pubs a week.

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) found that 71 new breweries have started production in the past year, taking the nationwide total to 711 and making the UK the “undisputed top brewing country in the world.”

West Yorkshire has the most breweries at 34, followed by Norfolk (31), Derbyshire and North Yorkshire (both 28) and Devon (27).

Norfolk's brewing tradition dates back centuries and while the number of businesses may be less numerous than in the past those remaining are on the up.

Success stories include Woodforde's Broadland Brewery in Woodbastwick, near Wroxham, and Blackfriars Brewery, based in Main Cross Road, Yarmouth close to the town's seafront.

Another popular brewery that is going from strength to strength is Humpty Dumpty, which was established in 1998 in the stables at the back of the Railway Tavern in Reedham and expanded into its present location in Church Road, Reedham in 2001 before changing into the hands of the present owners in 2006.