Beccles' first beer festival could become an annual event after its organiser hailed it a success.

The three-day festival – running from Friday to Sunday – took place at Beccles Public Hall to raise money for the town's outdoor swimming pool, while also promoting a raft of local breweries.

Festival organiser Graham Elliott said he hoped the event could return next year after the positive turn-out.

He said: 'The event was enormous – it has been three fantastic days. We were absolutely full on Friday and full for 11 hours on Saturday, with visitors from as far afield as Colchester, as well as lots of support from local people.

'It is great to have people pouring into the public hall to have a drink and enjoy some fantastic music. For a lot of people, this is the first time they have seen the hall – and to think we came close to losing it. This is the first time we have had the beer festival, and there have already been calls to make it more than just an annual event. We have sold twice as much beer as our most optimistic estimations.'

Green Jack Brewery, from Lowestoft, has helped to coordinate the festival, with 14 local breweries offering ales and two offering cider.

Ales also came from Adnams, of Southwold; Buffys, of Tivetshall St Mary; Fat Cat, of Norwich; Grain, of Alburgh; Green Dragon, of Bungay; Green Jack, of Lowestoft; Humpty Dumpty, of Reedham; Opa Hays, of Aldeby; St Peters, of St Peters South Elmham; Tipples, of Acle; Waveney Brewing, of Earsham; Winters, of Norwich; and Woodfordes, of Woodbastwick.

Ciders were from Crones, in Kenninghall, and Burnards, of Banham.

Meanhwile, throughout the weekend there were musical performances from Tosh, Gael Mosesson and Twisted Routes, Colin Quantrill, Ellie Wareham, Librarian Girls, Woodland Creatures, The Kitchen Band, Baz'n'Mark, and an open folk session led by Rum Kelter.

Mr Elliott added: 'It is looking like a significant fund- raising event. But it was not just about raising money for the Lido. It was to show off the public hall and celebrate local beer.'