ONE of the most famous names in British brewing was last night back under the control of the the family which started the business.

T&R Theakston was returned to four great-great-grandsons of founder Robert Theakston.

The announcement that a deal for the brand had finally been struck with Scottish & Newcastle is a source of pride to the late Robert's great-grandson Michael, the 78-year-old father of the new owners.

He said: "This is a very proud day for me and my family.

"For many years now, I have harboured a vision of my family regaining control of the brewery.

"For that vision to now become a reality is a tremendous achievement."

News of a proposed deal emerged six weeks ago after the licensed trade grapevine got wind that S&N was in advanced negotiations with the Theakston family.

A statement was issued at the time, but it took until yesterday for the deal to be finally settled.

Nick Theakston, a management buy-out specialist who will remain in his current post as chief executive of multimedia technology company ITM Group, led efforts to bring the company back under family ownership.

He said: "I suppose it is a case of poacher turned gamekeeper, but this is a tremendous day for our family and we have great plans for the business moving forward. I suppose you could say we have beer in our blood."

Nick is joined by his three brothers - Simon, who has worked in senior positions in the brewing industry for 24 years, Tim, a partner in property advisors Allsops who will help manage the Theakston property portfolio, and Edward, an executive at S&N Retail.

The family will work alongside Collin Wood, a former managing director of Theakston and former senior executive with Scottish Courage, who will become an executive director alongside Simon Theakston.

Vinay Bedi, analyst at stockbrokers Wise Speke, said: "There are a lot of Northern beer drinkers and a lot of followers of Northern business who will be delighted with this because it brings back an old, traditional business under the people who created and established it."