THE 2008 Stourbridge Beer Festival has been hailed a huge hit after drinkers arrived in droves for a record turnout.

Event organisers say up to 1,300 visitors called at the festival, held in Stourbridge Town Hall from May 22 to 24, and supplies ran out at 9pm on the final day, two hours before closing time.

Visitors voted an American Pale Ale from the Dark Star brewery as best beer at the show while a perry from Newton Court scooped first prize in the cider and perry category.

Simon Hanson, from the Halesowen and Stourbridge branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, said: "The festival was outstanding, we had the Stourbridge radio station broadcasting live from the hall on Saturday afternoon from the first time, it was a great success."