An Oldham brewery has announced it has ceased trading due to "insurmountable" problems it has faced.

Donkeystone Brewing Co, based in Greenfield, Saddleworth, shared the news on social media yesterday (March 22) that it would no longer be trading.

In the statement, the brewery wrote: "The current climate for breweries and the hospitality industry has proven to be insurmountable.

"The increased cost in materials and utilities along with the ongoing decline in consumer confidence has resulted in us having to close."

As well as brewing beer, the brewery served food and alcohol to customers and was popular among locals.

The statement continued: "This situation for us all as you can imagine is crushing.

"We have all put our hearts and souls into this business and met some amazing people.

"Our feelings cannot be put into words."

The brewery thanked all the staff for their "hard work over the years" as well as the "valued customers" for the support they gave.

The brewery's announcement on Facebook was met with hundreds of comments from people expressing how sorry they were to hear the "awful" news.

Donkeystone responded to the comments, writing: "Do you know something? You guys are breaking our already broken hearts."

Sophie Beachey, who worked in the brewery's kitchen, commented on the post, saying the staff had loved serving the customers and would miss them all.