OVER the past 175 years, it has come to symbolise brewing in the North-East.

It may not have had the volumes of Vaux, the international flavour of Scottish and Newcastle, or the workingman's tradition of Federation, but Castle Eden came to stand for the little brewery holding its own against the big boys.

But now it looks as if time will finally be called on one of the region's brewing sites, as it makes way for housing.

The brewery, between Durham and Hartlepool, was developed in 1826, when The Castle Inn was leased by John Nimmo and later taken over by his son, William.

But, if Easington District Council grants planning permission, the building will be replaced by an estate, marking the end of an era.

Former brewery worker John Reid said: "There is so much history in the building it is sad that it will have to go."

Alterations completed in 1910 made Castle Eden one of the most up-to-date breweries in the country and output doubled between 1906 and 1914.

As part of its contribution to the war effort, Nimmo's subscribed 100 guineas to the National Relief Fund and it was agreed that all wines and spirits required at the proposed convalescent home at Parklands, Castle Eden, would be supplied free.

Following the war, between 1912 and 1920, production reached a record output of more than 42,000 barrels.

By 1942, nearly a third of the output was in bottles and an automatic bottling plant came into operation in 1950.

In 1951, Nimmo's red star logo was first installed as a neon sign at one of their houses.

In the mid-1960s, Whitbread's bought the business and, by 1969, it had 300 pubs and 21 off-licences.

In 1977, a £650,000 facelift was announced, to enable all the group's beers to be racked and processed at Castle Eden.

As the brewery announced that the site was earmarked for the bulldozer, a worker said: "This brewery means a lot to everyone here. The sale is the best thing for everyone, but it is a bit upsetting the old building will go."

A few glasses will be raised to an old friend if this landmark of the region's brewing trade closes for the last time.