REAL ale fans enjoyed a boozy bonanza as Chappel Beer Festival made a triumphant return.

Festival-goers returned to the East Anglian Railway Museum last week for the first time since lockdown ended.

The sold-out event had a reduced capacity but plenty of revellers still got the chance to sample the 135 beers and more than 50 traditional ciders on offer.

Festival organiser Brendan Sothcott said: "We had one little rain shower, but it's been perfect.

"There's been a good turnout, good people and no trouble.

"It's probably been 25 per cent of its normal size, mainly for social distancing in case it rained.

"But we've tried to keep the atmosphere and opened the Restoration Shed which has been shut for the last few years."

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Pewter Scribe, which engraves tankards and glasses, was one of the few stalls at this year's event.

Owners Colin and Katherine Lilley are regulars at the beer festival.

Colin said: "We've been coming to the festival here since the eight one and this is the 34th so we know Chappel well.

"We love it – it's a great place."

Jane Wharnsby, from Clacton, was helping on the cider bar.

"Everyone working in here are volunteers either from the museum or the Campaign For Real Ale," she said.

Best pals Audrey Pulford and Daniel Cough were among the festival-goers at the Saturday afternoon session.

Daniel said: "It's been excellent – just fantastic.

"There's a lot of beers and we have thoroughly enjoyed it."