A NEW range of spirits inspired by Downton Abbey is being produced by a North Yorkshire distiller.

Harrogate Tipple, which is part-owned by renowned master distiller Tom Nichol, is producing a new gin and whiskey range officially endorsed by the makers of the popular BBC series.

The official Downton Abbey range will be produced in limited batches for sale in the UK and North America ahead of the forthcoming film premiere next month.

Mr Nichol, who has created famous drinks recipes including Tanqueray Ten, has developed the gin and scotch whisky at the Ripley distillery between Ripon and Harrogate, home to the fictional Downton Abbey Estate.

Steven Green of Harrogate Tipple said: “We are excited to bring Downton Abbey to life for fans of the series with a range of authentic, high quality spirits that evokes the flavours and style of the show’s post-Edwardian era.

"We are the only distillery in the fictional Downton Abbey region, and we also have an ethos of super-local provenance and a ‘quality first’ approach to distilling that Tom’s half a century of experience brings to all our products.”