THE inaugural Covingham beer and cider festival has been hailed a success after it attracted more than 200 people on the weekend.

Scorching temperatures bought connoisseurs to the festival at St Pauls Church to try the 12 different ales and 13 ciders on tap.

The community event also helped raise much-needed funds for Covingham Library and Dorcan Church.

Christ Smith, community volunteer and organiser, said: “As a local person living in Covingham, I wanted to put on an event for my community, you don’t see enough things going in in Covingham and I really wanted to show that my community can all come together for an enjoyable fundraiser”.

Dale Heenan, Chairman of the Swindon Community Library Trust "Chris and the volunteers have done an excellent job, and this will be a great way for people to enjoy a day with neighbours, and friends, which will also help the Church and Library. I've even sponsored a barrel of cider myself to help raise funds for the Church and Library".