A FORMER stockbroker who started brewing beer at his Rusthall home has watched his business grow rapidly in the past two years.

Yudhistra Moodley is now successfully selling his brews at 19 outlets across Kent and East Sussex.

Just two years ago the self-taught 38-year-old, who lives in Erskine Park Road, started concocting his very own recipes at home.

He said: "I didn't like commuting to London and I wanted to run my own rural business and be near home. I have a love of real ale and cars and I knew I wanted to do something involving one of the two. Ultimately beer won."

Starting from a small room at the back of his home – which he shares with wife Jayne and son Leo – Mr Moodley now has his own micro-brewery based at Bowens Farm in Penshurst.

But this is just the beginning of what Mr Moodley hopes will be a successful empire. He is currently working on two further real ale recipes.

A batch of beer takes up to a month to be ready and Mr Moodley only uses Kentish hops in his products.

He said it was important to him to support other local businesses and he is hopeful he will one day be able to expand the business and offer others employment.

He added: "In the past few months the business has definitely grown and in five years' time I'd like to employ a small team of local people and supply beer to pubs, shops and clubs across Kent and East Sussex.

"I believe you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it."