A veteran winemaker is facing a £30,000 bill after a new European Union ruling found he was using the wrong sized bottles, it emerged today.

Jerry Schooler, who owns Lurgashall Winery, near Petworth,has been told he must stop producing his fruit wines, meads and liqueurs in traditional measurements.

The business, which supplies seven royal palaces, has been bottling its beverages in 75cl and 37.5cl containers since opening in 1985.

However, Mr Schooler, 74, is now being forced to completely overhaul his production methods to fall in line with the new European Parliament regulations, or he risks being taken to court.

He said: "It's a big palaver. It's going to cost us £30,000 in order to change over. We make 28 different products here and each label needs to change."

"There has also been a shortage in the new bottles required. Everybody is crying out for them. We're just praying we can get the right bottles for what is now needed."

The company has been given six months to convert to using bottles in 70cl, 50cl 35cl or 20cl, but this will also entail changing all its current corks,"star wheel" machinery, labelling and boxing.

The EU directive made on September 5, 2007 lays down fixed rules on the nominal quantities allowed for pre-packed products.

He added: "There are so many regulations today and these are funny rules. I have been in the military so I am just going to take my orders, you can't fight them they are just law."

Mr Schooler said he had initially considered suggestions to carry on using his existing bottles, but the directive deemed it illegal to over fill or under fill bottles.

The winery, which employs nine full-time staff and three part-time staff, attracts around 30,000 visitors to its shop each year and regularly exports goods to Japan, the United States and Scandinavia. It sells approximately 400,000 bottles per year.

Its range of fruit, vegetable and flower based products include rose petal, plum and blackberry wines, plus ginger and bramble liqueurs.

New England born Mr Schooler, who has been an International Wine and Spirit Competition judge since 1970, said he was informed of the impending changes following a routine visit by a trading standards officer.

He said: "I'm pretty unhappy about this. People pass these laws and expect you to finance it. I've been trying to get a grant to help the company out, but there aren't any out there. I'm due to have a meeting with my bank manager later this week about this.

He added: "We have a Union Jack flag and a cross of St George outside, but I don't think we are going to be flying the EU flag, thank you."