Shepherd Neame has been granted a royal seal of approval by The Prince of Wales.

The Faversham-based brewery has been handed a royal warrant which is given to companies who have regularly supplied goods or services for a minimum of five years to the royal family.

Prince Charles first awarded a warrant to Britain's oldest brewery back in 1998, for Grant's Morella Cherry Brandy.

The drink dates back to 1774, and is mentioned in Charles Dickens' novel The Pickwick Papers.

It was also a favourite with Queen Victoria and was bought by Shepherd Neame in 1988.

In recognition of Shepherd Neame’s longstanding position as a supplier of specialist orders to Prince Charles, permission has been given for the royal warrant to be used on bottles of its flagship beer – Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale.

Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame said: “We’re over the moon to be among the elite group of the UK’s finest food and drink producers awarded a royal warrant.

"Quality and provenance are at the heart of everything we do and everyone at the brewery deserves to be proud to have their efforts recognised in this way.”