ALE lovers toured the town's taverns at the first Winter Ale Trail downing more than 3,000 pints in four days.

Pubs across Harwich and Dovercourt came together to host the event after the popular Winter Ale Festival was cancelled last month when the normal venue was closed.

Keen not to let ale lovers miss out, some of whom last year travelled from as far away as Manchester, pubs landlords organised an alternative real ale event across 11 venues.

Nick May, landlord of the Alma Inn, said: "It went really well.

"We had lots of extra people coming into the town and buying extra beers in the pubs.

"The Weird Beard Brewery did very well at Swan House and it was just a lovely atmosphere in the town."

The event was such a success plans are already in the pipeline for a four day Spring Ale Trail from April 29.