THIS reliable worker has taken up her first day in her new role after more than a decade preparing for the big day.

Florrie the Lorry is the latest addition to the Harveys brewery workforce after a 12 year makeover.

One of her first days in her new job she headed up to London to meet the Lord Mayor – a task she passed with flying colours.

She is now set to become a regular feature around Lewes, turning heads as she goes about her business on the company’s regular Friday round.

Harveys head brewer Miles Jenner told The Argus that he bought the Ford E83W Thames Truck in 2002 from the Golden Galleon at Exceat Bridge near Seaford, along with their brewing plant.

Harveys had assisted the pub over the years, supplying them with yeast and providing advice, and so when the Galleon owners decided to sell up, the Lewes-based brewers purchased the plant.

The plant was installed into an experimental brewhouse at Harveys a few years ago and Mr Jenner said it had been used to good effect.

Florrie has taken a little longer to prove her worth after being bought in a bad state of repair.

But following a twelve year restoration project led by Kennedy Bros of Rotherfield and various local companies, which has seen her restored to the exact livery Harveys used in the 1950s and 60s, Florrie is now road ready.

Florrie had a successful first outing up to London last week to the City Beerfest outside the Guildhall in aid of the Lord Mayor's charities.

She will join the brewer's popular horse-pulled dray cart which was launched in October 2013 for the visit of the Queen.

The dray cart, thanks to an arrangement with Maple Leaf Carriages, now tours Lewes pubs every Tuesday and is also available for hire for weddings and special occasions.

Mr Jenner said: “Our tenant at the Royal Oak in London Frank Taylor said she should be named Florrie after Florrie Forde, the Victorian Music Hall artist.

“We think Florrie the Lorry has a good ring to it so it has stuck.”