Barr era ends at Irn Bru company

The last member of the family dynasty that founded Irn-Bru maker AG Barr 134 years ago is to step down.

Robin Barr, 71, is to end his 31-year tenure as chairman paving the way for a non-family chief for the first time in the Cumbernauld-based firm's history.

He will be replaced as non-executive chairman Ronnie Hanna in May.

The fortunes of the firm, which began life as a cork-cutting enterprise in 1875, blossomed when Andrew Barr, from Falkirk, created "Iron Brew" in 1901.

The drink became Irn Bru in 1947 due to new food labelling regulations.