Beer is to be produced at Denbies Wine Estate for the first time in a century, thanks to approved plans to relocate a brewery to the site.

Hops will be growing alongside grape vines after Mole Valley District Council gave the go-ahead for Surrey Hills Brewery to move to England's largest vineyard.

The micro-brewery said the new plant would enable it to more than double its production at the existing site, with the opportunity to grow hops on the estate.

The space occupied at Denbies would be in the existing winery building and it is hoped production could start as soon as spring.

Ross Hunter, Surrey Hills Brewery owner, said: "We are very excited to have been given this opportunity to move to Denbies."

Mr Hunter said the brewery had reached the point where at 25 barrels a week the existing capacity at the Shere site had been reached.

He said Denbies was more easily accessible for customers than the current Shere site. The Surrey Hills Brewery will be offering tours to visitors to compliment the existing winery and vineyard tours, he said.

"From a visitors' point of view, it is difficult for people to come to where we are now so relocating to Denbies will make it much more easier for everybody," Mr Hunter said.

Surrey Hills Brewery said the local economy would also be given a boost with the creation of at least two new full-time posts. Talks between the two award-winning businesses started following a successful beer festival held at Denbies last summer.

It will not be the first time beer has been produced at the estate. The brewery had a good reputation for its ale circa 1900, when 30 barrels were kept in a basement.

Christopher White, Denbies general manager said: "It is very exciting to reinstate one of the original products made here on the estate."