Ale and cider lovers were in great spirits as day two of the city's annual beer festival gets underway.

Gates to the Worcester Beer, Cider and Perry Festival at Worcester Racecourse opened at 12pm on Friday (August 9), with many soaking in the sun during the afternoon.

Paul Denslow, who attended with his partner, Kirsty Denslow, said: "We've been coming for a long time now, perhaps since 2002 - it's a staple event for us.

She said: "There's always a good atmosphere here, and everyone is really friendly."

Mr Denslow added: "The first year I came, it was a tiny event compared to what to it is today and so it has got bigger and better each year."

Paul and Kirsty Denslow believe the festival keeps getting "bigger and better" each year. (Image: Newsquest)
 

Real ale lovers and new CAMRA members Yolande Walker, Graham Maycock, Jacqui Maycock, and David Cox come to the festival year on year, though it was more muted than expected.

Mr Maycock said: "It seems quieter to me this year, though perhaps it will get busier as the day moves on and the live music starts."

Mr Cox added: "It's a great event though. It has always been a good way of trying local breweries."

Festival organiser Ben Smith told Worcester News earlier this week that he expected around 4,000 people to attend over the three days, with Friday and Saturday the busiest of them.

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Elspeth McQueen and her friend, Nichola Armstrong have been frequent festival-goers since 2006.

Elspeth said: "We've been coming every year for a number of years now, and it's one of the social events of the year."

Nichola added: "The social aspect is a big part of why we come back. You end up bumping into people that you haven't seen for some time."

Dave Knight is one of many volunteers who are working at the festival over the three days. (Image: Newsquest)

Worcester Beer, Cider and Perry Festival has a large collection of volunteers who supervise the gate and serve drinks across the three days.

Festival volunteer Dave Knight said: "The whole event couldn't work without volunteers.

"We're all beer lovers here, and we're all keen to give something back by volunteering at the festival.

"It's nice to have those little conversations with so many different people across the day."