A WOMAN has turned a five-year dream into a reality by opening her own gin distillery, with a helping hand from a council grant.

Sarah Nelson has opened The River Test Distillery in Longparish, with plans to launch a signature gin in spring 2019 as well as a range of spirits.

For her new venture which has been two years in the making, Sarah was awarded a £750 Business Incentive Grant from Test Valley Borough Council which will help her company design a bottle label.

The gin is produced in small batches and is crafted using its own pure water which comes from the aquifer that feeds into the river, giving the Test its famed ‘gin-clear waters’.

Sarah said: “We have taken inspiration for our recipe from the botanicals that line our riverbank and our ambition has been to create a gin that captures the idyllic setting of the distillery.

"We hope everyone loves our gin as much as we do!”

“We are a fledgling company and we could not have arrived at this point without the support and encouragement from Test Valley Borough Council at different stages. This grant will enable us to achieve one of the final pieces of the jigsaw.”

The borough council's economic development and tourism portfolio holder, and ward member for Harewood, Councillor David Drew said he saw the "impressive still" on a visit to the site, and that is "very exciting" that Longparish has its own distillery backed by the council.

He added: “Sarah has worked incredibly hard to ensure that her dream has become a reality.

“I am very much looking forward to sampling Sarah’s signature gin in spring next year and have no doubt that The River Test Distillery will be a resounding success.”

The council’s Business Incentive Grants are available to anyone looking to set up their own business in Test Valley.

Anyone who successfully applies for the grant will receive £750 if their business is still going strong six months later.