AROUND 2,000 people attended an annual beer festival organised by Yate and District Rotary Club.

The sell-out event was held at Chipping Sodbury Rugby Club over the weekend.

On offer at the festival were 120 varieties of real ale, as well as some cider and wine, and a barbecue which sold steak, burgers and sausages to anyone whose hunger got the better of them.

One of the organisers, Ken Hopley, was overjoyed at the festival's success.

He said: "It was absolutely brilliant - a huge success. We had six live bands in total, two on Friday evening and four on Saturday.

"We just about got away with the weather, although it rained on Friday when we were trying to set up and there were a few sporadic showers on Saturday, but it didn't spoil anyone's enjoyment at all.

"The atmosphere was electric and there was absolutely no trouble."

However, there was a slight glitch when the vehicle carrying the stage for the bands to perform on became stuck in the mud.

"It just wouldn't shift," said Ken. "Fortunately, at very short notice, we were able to contact the Chipping Sodbury Scouts The Nike Explorers and they provided us with a massive marquee to use instead.

"They helped us erect it and really saved the day."

The group, who are currently raising funds for their Nepal Everest Expedition, are just one of the community groups and charities to benefit from the money raised at the event.