NIPPING out for a pint took on a new meaning for drinking partners Frank McKinstry and Matt Drummond.

Lancashire lads Mr McKinstry, of Bolton, and Mr Drummond, from Preston, caught an early morning train to start a 350-mile round trip to visit Banbury Beer Festival.

The two men work together for Northern Rail and share a common interest in real ale. Both are the Campaign for Real Ale.

It was their second visit to Banbury's annual beer festival, held at the Territorial Army barracks on Oxford Road on Friday of last week.

The duo made the journey last year and enjoyed it so much they vowed to make it a yearly pilgrimage.

Mr McKinstry said: "Everyone here is so friendly and the atmosphere is great. It might seem a long way to come but it's worth it to find something so enjoyable. And we will be back next year, that's definite."

Mr Drummond said: "During the day, we'll probably get through ten or 12 pints. That might sound a lot but it's not bad spread over eight or nine hours.

"The festival seems bigger this year than last, and our favourite beer so far is Adkins Ale, brewed in Wantage."

The festival, which was opened by James Clarke, chairman of Hook Norton Brewery, ran for three days.

This year it celebrated 300 years of the Act of Union between England and Scotland and the 80 beers on offer included 25 from Scottish breweries.

Mr McKinstry said: "I've got a Scottish background and it is good to see so many beers from north of the border. Many people associate Scotland with whisky and do not realise the Scots have a proud tradition of brewing beer."

Mark Bates, chairman of the north Oxfordshire branch of CAMRA, said: "This was the seventh annual Banbury festival and a lot of research went into organising the event - making sure we had the right selection of beers - and a large choice of ciders and perries.

"Over the three days we had more than 1,100 customers who drank just over 3,800 pints of beer and cider."

Shaun Cunningham, who brews Adkins Ale - he named it after the road in which he lives - said: "I'm pleased they liked my beer. I've been brewing for six years and make only enough to bring to festivals like this. I have no plans to expand and supply pubs. I'm happy knowing people enjoy what I make."