WITH so much beer around, why the long face?

Even Major the horse was enjoying the beer at this year’s Hook Norton Festival of Fine Ales.

Nearly 3,000 people descended on the village on Saturday to sample some of the 120 beers available.

Organiser Gill Begnor said: “It was absolutely brilliant and it is growing every year. “We get a lot of help and support from Hook Norton Brewery.

“We get some people coming from abroad. One of the reasons it is so popular is because people know it’s for charity and all the beers are donated.”

The event, which is now in its 20th year, raises money for charity, with this year’s funds going to Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.