A GIN distillery is being developed near Keighley, creating five jobs.

Behind the venture is entrepreneur Marcus Lund, owner of the landmark Saltaire real-ale pub Fanny's Ale House.

He is converting a previously-derelict barn next to his Riddlesden home to house the new distillery.

Manufacturing, bottling and administrative work will all be carried out from the site.

The scheme is backed through a six-figure funding deal with Royal Bank of Scotland.

Mr Lund, who has set-up Fanny's Distilling Company Limited, said: "It is great that the funding is now in place and I am able to kickstart the development work on the building.

"We are completely restoring the barn, cladding it out and replacing the roof.

"Once that is done, it is a matter of installing all the equipment and getting things off the ground.

"I'm planning for 90 per cent of the production in the distillery to be focussed on our gin but am also looking into producing a small sideline of absinthe.

"Gin is in at the moment so now is the perfect time to get into the craft production of it before the market becomes saturated.

"The gin craft production industry is currently where the micro brewery industry was ten years ago and I want to be sure to maximise the opportunities it presents whilst it is gathering momentum."

Mr Lund, who also owns the popular Fanny's Farmhouse Cheese brand, hopes the distillery will be fully operational by the end of this year.

The Royal Bank of Scotland said it was delighted to be backing the project.

Jon Haw, relationship manager, said: "Marcus has a great insight into the drinks industry and has developed a real opportunity in the popular craft gin market.

"I'm pleased we have been able to support him in his latest venture and look forward to visiting the distillery when it is fully operational."

Mr Lund has run the acclaimed Fanny's Ale House for more than 17 years.

He branched out into cheese-making after attending extensive courses on the subject.