A NEW brewery is being built in Keighley.

The Bridgehouse Brewery is under construction at Sandbeds.

Work on the £450,000 project, which also includes an extensive refurbishment of the Airedale Heifer pub, is expected to take about two months to complete.

Up to 20 full and part-time jobs will be created.

The new brewery is situated in the grounds of the Bradford Road pub.

A 'Brewery Lane' pathway will link the two premises and people will be able to watch the ales being brewed, from a specially created viewing platform.

There will also be a seating area within the brewery, catering for group tours.

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The new facilities will enable Bridgehouse, which is currently based at Aireworth Road in Keighley, to increase production by about half.

An additional brewer is among those being recruited.

The renovation of the Grade II listed pub, being carried out in partnership with Punch Taverns, will feature a complete redesign.

And as part of the project, a live video link is being installed so customers can watch brews being created.

At the front of the pub, a specially-commissioned galvanised-wire sculpture of the Airedale Heifer cow will be installed.

The three-metre-high piece is being produced by Yorkshire sculptor Emma Stothard.

The pub was named after the legendary prize-winning cow, which grazed on the neighbouring East Riddlesden Hall estate.

Simon Lamb, Bridgehouse Brewery's sales and marketing director, said: "The combining of the pub with the new brew house will provide a truly unique destination in the area.

"This represents a significant investment for our business and we were determined to find an opportunity to expand in the local area. The Airedale Heifer and its grounds provide the ideal location.

"The commissioning of the Airedale Heifer sculpture will revive a piece of Keighley's history and provide an interesting landmark in the area.

"People will be able to enjoy the combination of good value, high quality food with real ales produced onsite

"We are really excited about the redesigned features and furnishings in the pub.

"And we are also pleased the expansion will bring with it new employment opportunities."