IT was bottoms up all around to mark the eagerly awaited return of the Redoubt Beer Festival.

Nearly 900 visitors flocked to the three-day festival in Harwich's historic fort to try out one, two or three of the many beverages on offer.

Now in its ninth year, organisers were pleased to sell more than 3,500 pints of beer and about 800 pints of cider between Thursday and Saturday.

Paul Mellor, of Harwich Town Brewing Company which organises the festival, said the event was fantastic.

He said: "There was a massive thunderstorm on Thursday night, but people stayed to watch it and even do cartwheels in it.

"Friday was fantastic too with the great weather.

"Despite it raining on Saturday, we still saw 340 come to have a drink.

"We had people visiting from Harwich, Chelmsford and Bury St Edmunds."

This year there were 45 ranges of alcoholic drinks on offer.

One of the most popular tipples was a stout.

Paul added: "The number of people visiting this year was on par with previous years.

"We would love to break 1,000 visitors next year for our tenth anniversary festival and the year of the Mayflower 400 celebrations."

Next year's festival will be held next July.

Visit harwichtown.co.uk for more.