PINTS were downed, barrels emptied and subsequent hangovers soothed following another successful Malmesbury Beer and Sausage Festival.

The event, held at the town hall last weekend, was attended by more than 400 people.

The two day festival offered 25 different beers, as well as a number of ciders and soft drinks, with live music throughout to entertain drinkers.

The barrels were sponsored by various local businesses allowing the festival to retain maximum amounts of money during the event.

The profits from this year’s festival have been divided equally, and donated to three schools in Malmesbury, St Josephs, Malmesbury Primary School, and Malmesbury School.

In total more than £2,500 was raised for the local schools.

The festival also hosted a best sausage competition, hotly contested by Wiltshire’s butchers.

The eventual winner of the coveted prize this year was Styles Family Butcher, based in Warminster.

One of the event organisers and member of the town council Ray Sanderson set up the festival during his year as town mayor in 2013.

Speaking after the event he said: “It all went extremely well, a great success.

“The music was good, the beer was good, and everything ran smoothly.

“We had most barrels sponsored and we raised more than £2,500.

“It was a great friendly atmosphere all weekend.”