IT'S official – you can drink beer in church now.

And dozens of real ale lovers flocked to St Mary's Church, Witney, on Saturday(MAY2), to enjoy the fourth annual Witney Beer Festival.

They got to sample a smorgasbord of beers with names like Ringwood Old Thumper, Bank's Cereal Thriller and Goffs Camelot in the church and its grounds.

Organisers from Witney Round Table boast that it is one of just three beer festivals in the country hosted in a church.

The festival was advertised as running from midday until the beer ran out and punters certainly seemed to take that as a challenge.

St Mary's rector Toby Wright said: "There was a tremendous atmosphere and great beer, and the event really builds up the community."

The festival was founded in 2012 to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and raised more than £3,000.

That money was shared between St Mary's Preservation Trust and Witney Round Table 499 Charitable Trust which supports local good causes. This year as well as dozens of beer varieties there were also family-friendly activities including live music from local artists.