THE WEEKEND'S bad weather didn’t dampen people's spirits as the ninth annual Bransgore Beer Festival carried on undercover.

This year the festival had 107 real ales on offer and 48 different ciders ranging from fruity to traditional and two very popular local ciders from the Harrow Wood Farm in Bransgore.

Hosted at The Three Tuns in Christchurch, the three-day beer festival attracted a big crowd from far afield. The money raised will go to support many local causes and charities through the Bransgore Rotary Club.

Event Chairman Ian Kendal said: “I am absolutely delighted with the turnout, considering the wind and showers.

“All the hard work from Bransgore Rotary Club, their partners and the Three Tuns paid off. I think we might just manage £20,000 for our chosen local and international charities. Absolutely marvellous!”

There was a host of entertainment, with bands such as The Big Town Boppers, Madison Heights and Steve Smiley’s four-piece show band providing a lively atmosphere in the two marquees.

The Burton and Bransgore Scouts provided burgers, hot dogs and gourmet wraps for festivalgoers and raised some money along the way.

David Holmes, from the Bransgore Rotary Club, said: “The Annual Bransgore Beer Festival has been very lucky with the weather for the past few years and we knew are luck would run out sooner or later.

“This year we organised two huge marquees so that everyone could enjoy the weekend under cover if need be. What a good move it was indeed because the wind and rain would have soured the event had we not changed things.”