BREWDOG has committed to boosting its workforce by 130 in Ellon after receiving a £1.5 million grant to help expand its north-east brewery.

The funding will contribute to the £20m expansion of the site, which comes in response to growing demand for its craft beers at home and abroad.

BrewDog, which has bars in the UK and cites overseas, announced plans in October to add 300 to its then 220 staff over a three-year spell by upping its brewing capacity in Ellon. Its headcount has already risen to 370.

With the brewery currently working at full capacity, it plans to bolt a 4500 square metre, eco-friendly building on to its current premises, and install new fermentation tanks. The new building is expected to open in 2016.

Co-founder James Watt said the company is "on a mission to make people as passionate about craft beer as we are", stating that "our people are pivotal in achieving this."

Noting his pride at seeing BrewDog become a Living Wage employer in 2014, he added: "With the increased funding we are able to make our dreams a reality and add loads more integral and talented people to the BrewDog team. Each new hire will help us with our massive plans for 2015 and the years following and manifest our mission in Scotland and across the world."

The funding for the expansion has come in the shape of a Regional Selective Assistance grant.

Speaking on a visit to the Ellon brewery yesterday, deputy first minister John Swinney said: "BrewDog is a remarkable Scottish success story, beginning with Martin and James' passion for quality craft beer in 2007 and growing into a major award winning company.

"I am delighted to support this growth through today's RSA (Regional Selective Assistance) award, which will create a further 130 jobs in the north east."