MORE than 4,000 pints of beer were pulled over the Bank Holiday weekend as huge crowds descended upon Harwich for it's second Ale Trail.

The trail, which spanned 11 venues in the town, is now set to become an annual fixture.

More than 50 beers and ciders from across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex were on offer and in total 4,000 pints were sold.

The venues included The Globe Inn, The British Flag, The Hanover Inn, The New Bell Inn, The Alma, Shakers Bar, Café on the Pier, Swan House Gallery, The Crown Post, Harwich Town Sailing Club and Harwich Town Brewing Company.

Pam Walsh, of the New Bell Inn, said: “It was absolutely brilliant, a real success.

“The trail gave people the opportunity to visit some places they perhaps hadn’t.

"We’re off the beaten track here and we definitely got some new customers."

Gavin Rumsby, owner of the Crown Post, added: “It was brilliant. It was really well organised and a real community effort."

The trail was held for the first time last year after the town's popular real ale festival was cancelled at short notice.

Paul Turvey, one of the organisers, said: "The next Ale Trail will be in 2017 and planning starts now.

"However next on the Harwich ale calendar is the Harwich Town Brewery Festival at the Redoubt Fort from July 28 to 30.

"We hope to see everyone in the Redoubt in July, but the pubs of Harwich are open all year round."