DRINKERS in Silchester had plenty to cheer about at the village’s annual beer festival.

A record 249 people turned up for the event, which has been going since 2011 and is organised by the Silchester Association.

Among the 12 beers on offer at Silchester Village Hall were three from Wild Weather Ales, the Silchester brewery based in Benyon Road.

West Berkshire Brewery, Two Cocks Brewery, from Enborne, near Newbury, and Red Cap Brewery from Winchester were also represented.

Drinkers could also choose from three ciders, including a beetroot-flavoured variety, and a perry.

A meal of chilli con carne lined the stomachs of those attending, and live music kept people entertained.

This year’s festival raised more than £1,000, a proportion of which will go towards the village parish council’s bid to buy a defibrillator for the village hall.

The rest of the money will go towards events put on by the association for the village, such as the annual fireworks.

Simon Brewin, vice-chairman of the Silchester Association and member of the beer festival sub-committee, said: “Everybody really enjoyed the event. We were even getting phone calls from people cycling down from Reading, asking us to reserve tickets, so a lot of people came from different areas.”