THIS year’s Worcester Beer, Cider and Perry Festival was a huge success with record numbers of people attending.

The festival featured more than 240 real ales, 120 different cider and perry varieties and grape and fruit wines.

Nine thousand people attended the event held under a giant marquee on Pitchcroft, Worcester.

Bill Ottaway, event organiser, said: “It has been an amazing few days.

On Friday we had 4,600 people here, which was 1,000 up from the last festival.

“The cider started running out on the first night and we had to go and buy more on Saturday.

“It is a first to have the cider running out so early.”

Last year drinkers were disappointed when the festival was cancelled following the July floods.

Mr Ottaway said he was concerned whether beer fanatics would return for the event, which started on Thursday.

“After calling off last year’s festival you do not know whether the effect is to lose people or to attract more people,” he said. “A lot were disappointed, but they made up for it by coming this year.”

One of these was 46-year-old Steve Bicknell, who travelled to the festival from Royal Leamington Spa on Saturday.

“Last year’s cancellation is the reason we are back this year,” he said.

“It was very important we came back and supported it because we really love it, it has so much good choice.

“It has been brilliant.”

Drinkers were able to sample the beers in a complementary glass and were entertained by bands throughout the day and evening.

By the time last orders were called on Saturday, there were only 82 of the 240 real ales left for sale –158 had run out.