Hundreds of people enjoyed themselves at the 10th Seend Beer Festival on Saturday.

Held at the village’s community centre the festival was attended by families and beer enthusiasts from all over the country and the world.

The organisers employed security officers for the first time to prevent trouble after under age youths tried to gain entry last year but there were no problems.

There were 41 beers to choose from, an increase on last year, which meant there was beer flowing until the end at 11pm although some beers sold out, including Chimera and Helligan’s Honey. A pig roast was available to complement the beers.

Three live bands played, two of which made their debuts at the festival. These were The Somerset Paddies and Swindon based Wipe Me Dry, while the other band was Black Sheep.

The weather was mainly dry although there was a shower in the afternoon and later in the evening.

Richard Todhunter, one of the organisers, said: “Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and they were undaunted by the bad weather forecast. Even when it was a bit cooler in the evening we still had lots of people sat outside.

“People who attended came from Wiltshire, London, Wales, South Africa and university student Jack Bottomley, whose family is in Seend, cycled down from Nottingham the day before.”

The festival has come a long way since 2001 when it had 10 beers and attracted 200 people and on Saturday about 800 people attended.

Mr Todhunter and friends started the festival in 2001. Mr Todhunter, a cattle foot trimmer, was unable to work due to the foot and mouth crisis so he and others organised a beer festival.

He said: “I didn’t believe the festival would be as successful as it is but it is a good family event. I think we have a good blend of outside space as well as inside the community centre where there is a bar so people who don’t like beer can buy other drinks.”

The event is the single biggest fund-raiser for the Seend Community Centre and has raised about £3,000.