A brewery steeped in history is crafting a drink to commemorate the birth of an English folk legend.

Beer-maker Harveys of Lewes began the brewing process to mark the centenary of the birth of Bob Copper.

The brewing process of the 6% Copper Ale was started in the presence of the Copper family, who sung Oh Good Ale while malted barley was mashed with spring water.

Bob Copper's son John Copper, 65, was with his sons Ben and Tom, his sister Jill Copper, her husband Jon Dudley and sons Andy and Sean Barratt, to see it take shape.

He told The Argus: “We have a long association with Harveys Brewery.

“It's amazing. It's quite an occasion. It completely overshadows any other achievement.”

Bob came from a long line of folk singers, who can trace their roots in Rottingdean at least as far back as 1593.

In his lifetime he collected and recorded local folk songs for the BBC, ensuring the style remained true to his forefathers, the originals having been passed down by memory.

He achieved international fame and helped spearhead the English folk revival in the 1950s.

Up until his mid-80s, he often walked from his home in Peacehaven to The Ram at Firle, where he would drink four pints of Harveys Best.

This led him to declare he was a “30 miles to the gallon man”, it being 7-and-a-half miles there and the same back.

In 2004, Bob collected an MBE from the Queen, passing away four weeks later.

Harveys Brewery was originally approached by folk singer and Lewes resident Shirley Collins, who knew Bob from the age of 15, to ask if it would make an ale to commemorate him.

She said: “Bob was so keen on beer and it struck me that this was the best way to honour him.”

Miles Jenner, head brewer and joint managing director of Harvey & Son (Lewes) Ltd, said: “To be asked by the Copper family to mark the centenary in this way is a privilege.

“Bob Copper was a great devotee of Harveys beers.

“Hopefully, it will meet with the approval of all those who hold him in such high esteem and be a worthy tribute to his name.

“As well as being Copper in name, the beer will be copper in colour and, appropriately, will have passed through our brewing copper.”

Once fermented, the beer appears at a sold-out Bob Copper centenary event in London on January 24 and to the public after that.