A BEER festival is expected to become a regular event after attracting hundreds of visitors.

The Padiham Beer Festival was hailed an ‘incredible success’ by organisers, who had hoped to see around 200 attend.

Organisers were thrilled when 600 real ale fans swarmed to the two-day event.

Padiham Mayor Coun Vince Pridden said there was a wonderful atmosphere, with live music and hot food served throughout the event. He said: “It was a great success and everyone was having a wonderful time. It was busy throughout and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We felt it was a very impressive turnout for the first-ever event.

“Now it seems more likely to become a regular annual event . What we will do now, is go back to the drawing board and examine which features worked and which did not and look at doing it again next year.”

The event was held in the town hall ballroom on Friday and Saturday in aid of the Mayor's Community Fund.