A small Sussex brewery has been voted one of the best in the world by a poll of beer drinkers.

The Dark Star Brewery, based at Ansty, near Haywards Heath, which produces mild and strong beers such as Over the Moon, Hophead, Landlord's Wit and Golden Gate, has been getting the thumbs up from thousands of ale lovers.

They have been voting for the Sussex brewery on the internet web site www.ratebeer.com Out of thousands of breweries large and small throughout the world, the brewery at Ansty is now rated at number 84.

Paul Reed, a director of Dark Star breweries, which also runs the Evening Star pub in Surrey Street, Brighton, said: "It was nice to get a call telling us our beers are appreciated."