SKIPTON'S beer festival's new venue proved popular.

The three-day event was moved to the Rendezvous Hotel because of a limit on numbers at the town hall.

And a former Pennine bus made sure the festival ran smoothly, transporting guests from the town centre and railway station.

The organisers from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) said the hotel was certainly grander than most beer festival venues, with chandeliers and glitter balls.

Starting on Thursday evening, the Polperro Fishermen’s Choir, which was staying at the hotel, provided an impromptu concert and several hotel guests found the festival a welcome bonus to their visit to Skipton.

The pirate fancy dress on Saturday proved popular.

Andy Moore, the festival organiser said: “Many more customers provided feedback this year and they seemed to like the venue with more room, making it more comfortable.”

Two hundred and sixty people voted for their favourite beer of the festival and the clear winner was Bad Kitty, a chocolate vanilla porter, brewed by Brass Castle brewery from Malton. The cider of the festival was Lilley’s Crazy Goat.

Festival customers donated £360 for Cancer Research UK, which is Rendezvous’ chosen charity.