A Cumbrian distillery has announced new partnerships, which it says will boost on and off-trade sales and open more duty-free gateways to Europe.

The Lakes Distillery's whisky, gin, vodka and gifting range will be available to buy from Ocado - the world’s largest dedicated online grocery retailer - in the autumn.

In addition, its products will be available from high street retailer Next’s official website and Heart of England Midland Co-op’s 32 stores.

Its Rhubarb & Rosehip Gin Liqueur has also been selected as one of only 13 spirits to be included in Wetherspoons’ summer gin festival.

It is also working with travel retail group Lagardere to sell its spirits at the duty free shops in London City and London Luton airports.

Maria Duddin, director of business development and UK sales at the distillery, which is based near Bassenthwaite, said: “We’re obsessed by quality and continuous improvement at The Lakes and are delighted to be working together with such a prestigious range of partners who all share our ethos.

"2019 has been a fantastic year so far and with the release of our first widely available single malt whisky only a matter of weeks away, these new routes to market have arrived at the perfect time.”

Wetherspoons' summer gin festival organiser Jen Swindells said: “We are keen to offer our customers the best range of gins possible, with the widest range of tastes.

"We are delighted that our pubs will be serving Rhubarb & Rosehip Gin Liqueur and believe that it will be a popular choice.”