Worksop Town Hall was the host once again for the three-day event, led by the Campaign For Real Ale (Camra) society, which showcased a varied range of beers, ciders and perries.

And for the third year running CAMRA have teamed up with the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, which received money raised from the tombola and raffle - a sum that was matched pound for pound by Barclays Bank.

Stephen Watkins, young people's representative for Camra, said the festival, which ran from Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th October, had been a great success and opportunity to sample some unusual and tasty drinks.

"We have showcased some unusual beers over the years, including one made with pepper, but this year we have chosen a range of traditional ales from all over the country, inluding locally-sourced ones from Retford, West Stockwith and Staveley."

Real ale enthusiasts from all over the county and beyond dropped into Worksop's Town Hall to try beers from Absolution, brewed by Abbeydale in South Yorkshire to Notts brewers Idle's Idle Dog.

Camra members Colin Gulliver of Blackstone, and Kevin Downes of Doncaster in South Yorkshire said Camra had chosen well for this year.

"We think there's an excellent choice of beers this year, and they have actually got drinks we like" they said. "Our favourites are definitely Master Mate from Nelson's Brewery in Kent and the Malt'n'Hops from Wadworths in Wiltshire."

And Norman Wigley, of Clowne, and David Oxlade, of Sheffield, said the beer festival provided a pleasant alternative to sitting in in pubs.

Said Norman: "The thing for us is that we're drinking proper real ale and it's very different from what you get in Worksop on a Friday or Saturday night when people come here to enjoy a good quality beer. It's not a matter of putting as much down your neck in 10 mins."

For more information about Camra's forthcoming festivals check out www.nnottscamra.co.uk