THE dream of a trio of entrepreneurs who want to open a micro brewery near Devizes is a step closer to becoming a reality after it received support both locally and across the county.

Glen Upward, 38, his wife Lucy, 36, and Aistis Nefas, 28, plan on going into business by having their own brewery of craft ales at Coate Lodge Farm, Bystone Lane, Coate, which they hope to start by May.

Although they are still waiting to see if their application for a change of use for the building will be approved, they have received the backing of Bishops Cannings Parish Council and Devizes councillor Sue Evans and unofficial support from Wiltshire councillor Philip Whitehead.

"In recent weeks we have been in contact with Bishops Cannings Parish Council, Mrs Evans and Mr Whitehead and they have unofficially given their support and have been very helpful in advising me what to do to get this off the ground," said Mr Upward, of Rotherstone, Devizes.

"The public consultation finishes at the end of this week and we are very hopeful that we are a step closer to achieving our goal. We have never done something like this before so their help to us has been invaluable.

"Mrs Evans pointed us to Wiltshire Council's business start-up section, which was a big help. We have been in contact with local restaurants, cafes and pubs so there are a lot of encouraging signs.

"Our aim is to brew small-scale beer, sourcing ingredients, products, and services from the local area wherever possible. We feel there is a gap in the market for craft beers and we can be as innovative and creative as we like and that is hugely exciting.

"We want to bring to life the old dairy building, which is in a wonderful setting, that has not been used for the best part of a decade. We want to renovate it and make sure it is in keeping with the local area."

Lithuanian Mr Nefas, who lives in Bournemouth, has a masters degree in brewing and cannot wait to get started.

"Opening a business is so exciting. I can fulfil my dreams to become self-employed and to give customers the best tasting beer possible," he said.

Mrs Upward is heavily involved in the development of the brand and the vision for the future of the brewery.

It is not expected that the company will sell direct to consumers. Mr Upward added that brewing will take place several times during the week.

Coun Evans said: "I wish him the best of luck on this exciting adventure. I definitely support what he is doing and I hope they succeed and if I can be of further help I will."

Bishops Cannings councillor Jenny Combe said: "We fully support Mr Upward's goal and we were all very impressed with what he is trying to do, and good luck to him."