IT was with great sadness and some tears that staff left the Molson Coors brewery last Friday to mark the end of an era for the brewing industry in Alton.

Brewing ceased at Manor Park after 52 years with the production of a special Farewell Brew and all that's left now is for Molson Coors to begin the long process of decommissioning the site, expected to take until late 2016, and to decide on its future.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald