MORE than 3,000 people enjoyed the return of a popular beer festival last week.

Organisers of Ponteland Beer Festival said the two-day event held on Friday and Saturday (June 3 and 4) drew a record turnout.

Since April 2020, organisers Ponteland Rugby Club have attempted to reschedule the event on four separate occasions, all of which were cancelled due to the pandemic and cost the club critical amounts of money.

There were more than 100 beers and lagers, along with 40 types of cider, at the festival, as well as street food and live entertainment.

There was also a gin bar, as well as prosecco, various wines, and soft drinks.

Proceeds from the event will go towards the day-to-day running of the rugby club, as well as towards their new campaign with Ponteland United Football Club to raise money for a joint community clubhouse.

Andy Maidwell, one of the organisers, said: "We're delighted with how it went.

"We would like to say a special big thank you to all our sponsors and guests. Many of them had bought their tickets and paid their sponsorship back in 2020 and their loyalty stayed with us right the way through.

"We hope we were able to reward that loyalty by putting on a great weekend.

"The feedback we've had has been very good and very encouraging. Everybody seemed to have a good time."