ONE of the most famous names in North-East brewing, who led a buy-out which helped save the Castle Eden name, has parted company with the firm.

Jim Kerr left the County Durham site for the final time earlier this month, ending a quarter of a century association with the brewing industry.

The surprise move was described by management at the firm as a "mutual agreement" and comes less than two years after he spearheaded a business consortium that bought the site from Whitbread.

Mr Kerr, 45, was quick to reject rumours of a clash of personalities leading to him leaving his post as operations manager, saying the parting had been amicable.

But the man who led the turnaround in the struggling brewery in the 90s, admitted that his heart and soul was still with Castle Eden.

He said: "I can confirm that I am no longer employed at Castle Eden. My heart and soul is with the company but things change. I still have a lot of friends at the company, and wish them every success in the future.

"I am keen to see the company continue to do well."

Mr Kerr quit Whitbread in 1998, and along with accountant David Soley stepped in with a rescue package to buy the beleagured brewery in October of that year.

The move came after it appeared that more than 170 years of brewing heritage looked certain to be drained away from the site, which overlooks the A19 near Peterlee in County Durham.

Mr Kerr moved to Castle Eden in 1991 as brewery manager at a time when many in the industry feared the brewery was under the threat of closure.

But under Mr Kerr's guidance Castle Eden started to thrive, making a name for itself as a brewer of specialist real ales and other beers.

He was highly respected in the industry, and rewarded for his endeavours with a role as regional manager for all the Whitbread's operations in the North-East.

But when Whitbread decided to dispose of Castle Eden two years ago, Mr Kerr became a key figure in buy-out proposals.

With the new management team he was instrumental in resurrecting Nimmo XXXX after an absence of more than 30 years.

Although there are only around 40 employed on the site Castle Eden has also begun building up its own chain of pubs, and there are plans for a visitor centre, restaurant and hotel at the brewery.

But Mr Kerr will not be there to witness the changes planned at the site.

MD David Soley said: "Jim's been involved with the brewery for a number of years, and has been a very loyal servant to Castle Eden

"It was a mutual agreement, and was made after taking into account the changes that have been occurring within the business.