AROUND 1,100 people attended the Alton Winter Beer Festival over the weekend’s three sessions with volunteers serving more than 80 different beers, ciders and wines.

Organisers said the ever-popular event had a "very different feel" this year due to the "unseasonal warmth" - usually the punters are "wearing woolly hats rather than sitting outside in the sunshine".

There was a wide range of styles, including ales aged in oak barrels, craft beer, low ABV, dark beers, as well as some gluten-free and vegan choices.

Four Marks and Ropley scouts were on hand to flip burgers and serve hotdogs, raising money for their new scout hut - and the local ale and watercress sausages were said to be popular additions to their menu.

With Hungry Buddah’s Thai curries, live music, entertainment and even a ’balloonologist’, the event proved another success. Organisers commended volunteers who give up their time to make the festival possible.