PUNTERS raised a glass and funds as Ilkley and District Round Table's Beer Festival brought in more than £40,000 for good causes.

The two-day event, held at King's Hall and Winter Garden, Station Road, Ilkley, on Friday and Saturday, saw 2,500 people try more than 100 beers and 120 ciders from Yorkshire and across the UK.

The Festival raises more than £40,000 each year for a range of charities, groups and good causes, including Ilkley and District Community Transport and Burley-in-Wharfedale Scouts and Guides.

The event is the local Round Table's biggest fundraising event. It also holds other fundraising activities including a Santa float which tours the streets collectingg for good causes in the run-up to Christmas.

Guy Weston, Beer Festival organiser, said: "This is the ninth year we have held the festival, it keeps getting bigger every year.

"We make sure everybody has a good time at the Festival and we make a good amount of money from it as well."

This year's total is still be be finalised but organisers estimate the event will bring in between £43,000 and £44,000.

A total of £15,000 of this was given to Ilkley Town AFC to help its £675,000 appeal for the construction of a new all-weather artificial grass surface at Ben Rhydding, due for completion in December.

The community club, which has more than 450 players across 30 teams, has embarked on a project to build the state-of-the-art pitch on Ilkley Grammar School fields at Ben Rhydding.

Four sessions took place at the beer festival, including a session on Friday afternoon for the many sponsors of the event. Beers and ciders were sourced from breweries all over the country.

Although tickets went on sale late last year, there were people queuing along Station Road outside the venue before the doors opened.

Local suppliers fed guests, and there was entertainment during the festival from Emley Brass Band, and Leeds Male Voice Choir.