SOME would say a perfect combination is a pint and a pie mixed with sunny weather.

That is exactly what they got at Old Town Beer and Cider Festival.

The fundraising event has returned for a 6th round this weekend.

The beer and cider was flowing as festival guests gathered for the annual event at Christ Church and drank away the afternoon with a selection of 45 beers and 30 ciders, all locally brewed.

Organiser Chris Smith said he was delighted with the turnout and the atmosphere of the event and expects there to be over 1,000 people visiting.

He said: “The idea is to raise money to help maintain the church for the future and to support with community events we put on in the community centre.

“I would love it if we made £10,000 this year as that would be a new record for us.

“It is definitely achievable, and we are seeing a lot more people walking in this year.”

Team captain Nick Morris and Alun Rossiter of the Swindon Robins officially opened the event at 12:00pm.

Old Town Beer Festival is sponsored by Los Gatos and the Hop Inn.

It will use the funds raised to help two local charities, Threshold and Christian Aid.

Steve Dumba, volunteer for Christian Aid, said: “It is great to have an event like this helping us especially when in todays society there are people who need a lot of help.

“The funds being raised will really help us to help people and I thank them for that.”

There was even a beer specially made for this festival by Three Castles brewery, called Scott’s Legacy which was produced in honour of Sir Gilbert Scott who designed Christ Church in 1851.

There was a variety of food on display, from pies, burgers and hot dogs being served up by Wilson’s Butchers, with Falvo’s putting on a host of pizza slices, and the Friends of Christ Church laying on rolls.

For dessert there was beer flavoured ice-cream from Rays and tiffin’s from Glamorose Cakes.

Drinkers can enjoy a free Beer and Hymns service at Christ Church tomorrow from 6.30pm.

All beer must be drunk by the end of the evening.