MOLSON Coors will close the gates of its Turk Street brewery on Friday to mark the end of an era for Alton's long and rich brewing history.

The closure of the town's remaining industrial-scale brewery will strike at the heart of the whole community as brewing ceases after 52 years at Manor Park, and the remaining 108 staff leave the premises for the final time.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.