SCORCHING temperatures did not deter punters from flocking to a popular beer festival to quench their thirst.

Charlbury Beer Festival, believed to be the largest independent one-day beer festival in the country, drew the crowds as it took over the town's cricket club once again on Saturday.

An array of ales were snapped up by thousands of visitors, while Abingdon's Phil Adams won the eagerly-awaited Aunt Sally World Championships.

Several beers had a lunar link to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landings, with Rocket to the Moon, Big Bang Theory and Starry Nights among those on offer.

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The festivities began at midday and continued long into the evening as many people took advantage of the fantastic weather to stay all day.

Publicity officer, Nick Millea, said: "It was right up there with the best.

"The number of people that came up to thank us was brilliant - one guy, who was a little worse for wear, said it was one of the best days of his life."

The cosmic theme promised free entry to anyone dressed as an astronaut - but nobody donned the space suit as temperatures touched 30C.

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The festival has previously attracted crowds of up to 3,000 people and organisers believe similar numbers attended this year, as revellers enjoyed the food, drink and entertainment.

One of the biggest draws was the annual Aunt Sally World Championships, a regular fixture at the festival for the last decade.

Mr Adams triumphed over two-time winner, Roger Goodall, in the semi-final, before taking the crown for the first time.

Live music played from midday onwards, culminating in a marathon 23-song set by Ska band Hope & Glory in the evening.

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The festival's culture tent hosted talks all afternoon, while local groups like Charlbury Primary School choir performed throughout the day.

Now in its 22nd year, the festival is estimated to have raised more than £250,000 for good causes, with Saturday's event taking it past the quarter of a million mark.

In 2018, 19 different organisations from across Oxfordshire received a share of the proceeds, with the primary school the main beneficiary.

The festival is organised by just 22 volunteers, all of whom live in the Charlbury area.