THE ORGANISERS of Dorchester Beerex are raising a glass to all those who helped make the event another successful fundraiser.

The beer festival has been running for 28 years and proved as popular as ever with punters packing out the Corn Exchange across the four sessions.

Early estimates suggested the event had raised more than £10,500 including more than £1,500 for the raffle in support of the Round Table Children's Wish initiative.

The main beneficiary of the event this year was Cowden Care Farm.

Anna Hall, director at Cowden Care Farm, said: “We’re overwhelmed really that we’ve been nominated this year.

“The money that they are raising is going to go towards our new computers that we are raising money for.

“We’re trying to put in six new computers.”

The festival is organised by Dorchester Round Table and West Dorset CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale).

It was opened on Friday morning by county town mayor Robin Potter and there were lunchtime and evening sessions on the Friday and Saturday.

The Saturday night session included live music with local band Hustle, which went down well with the crowds.

With the Magistrates Room at the Corn Exchange now taken over by Dorchester Arts, this year saw punters able to make use of the Town Hall upstairs and the move proved popular with festival goers.

Over the past 28 years the event has raised more than £100,000 for a host of good causes and organisers hope it will continue to pull in the crowds for years to come.

Dorchester Round Table chairman Ralph Wheeler said: “We look forward to it every year.

"It’s great to have an event that is so well supported by the town and that raises lots of money for local good causes and that’s what it’s all about."

There were more than 80 beers on offer at the event as well as 15 perries and ciders.

Local companies ensured that every barrel was sponsored so the maximum possible could be raised for good causes.

Dorset brewers Palmers was the main sponsor for a second year running and the ladies from Ellipse again supported the event.

Beerex chairman Robert Matthews said: "The Beerex committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all the local businesses who continue to support the event by sponsoring barrels and providing raffle prizes.

"Palmers Brewery were the main sponsor of Beerex for a second year and we hope to work with them for many years to come.

"Finally I would like to thank everyone who worked at Beerex for all their hard work and of course those who attended and made it such a successful couple of days.

"We look forward to seeing you again next year."