A VILLAGE football club has hosted its first ever beer festival - attracting more than 1,500 people.

Gresford Athletic Football Club hosted the club's inaugural bear festival at the weekend and it proved to be an overwhelming success.

In excess of 1,500 people turned up for the event to sample the wide array of draught beers, special feature bars selling gin, Prosecco and cider.

The grand opening at mid-day even incorporated a Red Arrows fly over.

Event co-ordinator Jeff Jones said: “The success without a shadow of doubt exceeded everyone’s expectations. Like all successful projects, it took months of planning but in doing so delivered a successful event.

"The club has a dedicated committee with members of their families who worked their socks off all day long and deserve the highest of praise.

"We could not have contemplated hosting an event of this magnitude without sponsorship and we are eternally grateful for the support of SG Estates and North Wales Aeroforms.

"The guest ales were supplied by Westwood, Sandstone, Snowdon and Tatton Ales and all proved a massive success and the gallons and gallons of Wrexham Lager that were consumed highlighted the popularity of this amber nectar.

"We received excellent support for Andy Edwards of Toppers Bar and everyone at Gresford Royal British Legion."

Getting everyone in the mood during the event was local four-piece covers band The Dinosaurs and they set the tone for the rest of the day with their upbeat set of 1980’s and 1990’s music.

During the day their high standards were repeated by Faded Strangers, 'Simon Sax' (saxophone) and headline act Lady and the Tramps.

Mr Jones added: "The feedback since the event on Saturday has been so fantastic but we are honest enough to admit the whole project proved to be a massive learning curve and learn we will.

"As such, we believe we have stumbled on a winning formula and next year we will fine tune certain things and above all else find a bigger venue.

"So much so, we are encouraging constructive feedback and improvement ideas and they can be captured by getting in touch with me via Facebook messenger at Gresford Beer Festival."