CIDER and beer lovers flocked to the Check Inn at Wroughton yesterday for the first day of a festival dedicated to the best brews in the region.

The four-day event, which runs until Easter Monday, is the first time that new tenants Sharon Johnson and her partner Richard have organised a festival focussing on the best craft beers and ciders.

With a barbecue enticing locals out in the courtyard, the fun-filled weekend will see a whole host of bands play to crowds enjoying a sample of new beverages while children will be entertained by an Easter egg hunt and colouring competition.

Sharon, 46, hopes more villagers turn out over the course of the Easter weekend to support the festival.

She added: “I think this festival has provided an opportunity to sell and showcase other ales and ciders and so that is the main reason we wanted to do something like this.

“There has been a big interest so far and everyone is trying all of the different beers and ciders, which we are really happy about. There is something for everyone.

“I think it is over 20 years since something like this has happened here so people are excited about it.”

Sharon took over the running of the pub in November and wanted to take things back to basics with home-cooked British classics paired with the perfect pint.

“The last five months have been amazing. We have become a proper drinkers pub now,” Sharon added. “We have our regulars but we are starting to see new locals come in not just from Wroughton but also Wichelstowe and Old Town. We are so busy on weekends which is great.”

Locals who supported the festival on Good Friday included David Pell and his wife Lynda to celebrate her 66th birthday.

David, 70, who has lived in the village for the past 38 years, said: “The festival is what brought us here because it is bringing people together to try new beers and the addition of live music is great.

“Having the barbecue outside is enticing and this is the sort of place where you can bring the kids, sit outside and have a nice drink and enjoy one another’s company.”

The team hope that if the festival is a success, they could hold a similar event on the August bank holiday. For more information, call the Check Inn on 01793 331428.