ORGANISERS have hailed their returning beer festival as a success after revellers were welcomed back for the first time in two years.

Real ale and cricket lovers raised a glass at the Halstead Cricket Club with the 13th annual Halstead Cricket Club Beer Festival.

Organisers said more than 1,000 people attended and they said they almost ran out of beer getting through at least 20 barrels.

The festival also played host to cricket matches with the North Essex Cricket League T20 finals.

Teams from Colchester, Abberton, Coggeshall and Witham squared off to get their hands on the trophy.

In the end, it was Coggeshall which won the day with their team taking the trophy home.

Overall organisers were happy with the event which also raised funds for the MS Society and Alzheimers Society.

The charities were chosen by club stalwart Brian Firmin who celebrated his 90th birthday with £800 raised.

Organiser Lauren Hume said: “The beer festival was a great success and it was lovely to see the community of Halstead get together again after such a difficult time.

“There were lots of new and old faces which shows that everybody enjoyed supporting the club.

“Saxsafi and James Burrage were great with their sets and the T20 final was an exciting game with Coggeshall taking the trophy home.

“The only challenge really was that we were so popular we almost ran out of beer.

“Everyone had a great time, they enjoyed tasting our fine selection of beer and ciders and watching good cricket.

“The club thoroughly enjoyed celebrating Brian Firmin’s 90th birthday and raising £800 for MS Society and Alzheimer’s Society.”