GOOD time and great beer were available by the pint full as fun-loving crowds gathered for an annual beer festival.

The 13th Forever Bury Beer Festival takes place from May 10 to 12 at the Bury FC Social Club in Gigg Lane.

Over 70 real ales and ciders from around the UK are on offer across the weekend alongside a huge continental bottled beer bar and the festival's first gin and Prosecco bar.

This year's charity is the The Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity, and over previous years attendees, volunteers, breweries, cider producers and sponsors have helped to raise over £146,000.

Event organiser and chairman of supporters trust Forever Bury, Dave Gifford, said: "It has taken nine months to put together and it has been brilliant.

"It's all about if the town can get behind it and back it. We are trying to support the club so I'm asking people to come and support us.

"We have got the best beers on, in the best conditions and for the best price so people can come and enjoy it."

The festival proved a hit with attendees today, with organisers hoping for over a thousand visitors over the three days.

Andy Mottran, aged 57, from Derby, said: "I grew up in Unsworth. moving away when I was 17, and this is one of the few times I have come back to Bury.

"I saw an advert on Facebook and thought I have to come and I have really enjoyed myself.

"I have found it really friendly and have found people to talk to. The staff are lovely and there's great beer."

Tons of family fun was also to be had today with a crèche, facepainting and games as well as a Wear Your T-shirt With Pride Day — with organisers asking visitors to wear the colours of any sporting club they support.

Jack Corfield, aged 28 from Church Stretton in Shropshire, who was enjoying the festival with his family, said: "We have had a top time, and we came a few years back and had a top time then too.

"The great thing is that it's family friendly and the beer is spot on. I'm from Shropshire so I like a proper real ale."

Mr Gifford said: "We welcome comments good or bad and there have been some fantastic comments.

"We have had people call it marvellous and I have had CAMRA people who organise festivals saying that we should go to their branches and teach people how to do a festival.

"We have had CAMRA branches from Wigan, Wakefield, Southport, Blackpool and Filey as well as people from Harrogate and Scarborough — and there were even two visitors from Houston, Texas."

The Forever Beer Festival is open tomorrow from 11am to 11pm.