HAMPSHIRE’S OctoberFest returned to Basingstoke last weekend, with food, lots of ales, beers and ciders, and plenty of live music.

The event, which was organised by Destination Basingstoke for the first time, opened up on Friday with the traditional ‘Work’s night out’.

It continued from midday to midnight on Saturday, as well as until 4pm on Sunday with discounted prices.

However, sadly the weather did not play ball.

The rain, which hung around all weekend, may have closed the car park and required the organisers to draft in some extra wood chipping to help stop the soggy ground becoming a bog, but that did nothing to bring down the spirits of the occasion.

On entry, visitors were given their very own souvenir glass to use for the weekend, as well as the festival programme.

It listed all 153 beers and ales that were available at the festival, as well as the 30 ciders, 12 craft beers and selection of gin and wine.

Many of these were local to Hampshire, many from breweries within 30 miles of Basingstoke.

There was food including pizzas, burgers and Greek souvlaki, whilst on the music front, headliners included 13 Lies, The Fanzines, Blood Hounds and Sugarman Sam.

The organisers said: “Thank you everyone that came along to the Hampshire OctoberFest, we hope you enjoyed it.

“A big thank you to North Hampshire CAMRA and all our amazing staff and suppliers that helped us keep the festival buzzing, even when the weather was against us. See you all next year.”