OVER 2,000 people supported the three day charity beer festival staged by The Rotary Club of Newton-le-Willows.

The seventh annual festival was officially opened last Thursday by the Mayor, Councillor Andy Bowden and his wife Janice, and he returned on Friday night to help behind the bar at Newton Sports Club.

Enthusiastic visitors enjoyed sampling the 102 beers, 18 ciders, and 12 international bottle beers on offer plus food provided by Red Bank Farm.

Entertainers included The Corollas, Chicken Run, Skytrain and local bands

Since the first such event in 2008 over £65,000 has been raised for charities with Age Concern, Willowbrook Hospice, Wargrave House and Newton Boys and Girls Club being among local beneficiaries.

The Rotary Club tries to promote the development of young talent and has sponsored creative writing, school art, young musicians, photographers and chefs and supported a speaking competition and helped develop junior school gardens.

It has also donated money to the Canine Partners Organisation for the purchase of a puppy and its training to assist a disabled person to gain more independence.

Festival organisers are grateful to main sponsors Chris Clare of Urban Marmalade Estate, Mike Eaves of Eavesway Travel and Andrew Stockton of Dootsons LLP Solicitors, barrel sponsors and especially those drinkers who made the event such a success.