THE first pints have been pulled at this year's Great Yarmouth Beer and Cider Festival, which started today at the historic Priory Centre.Drinkers toasted the home brewing competition winner Richard Barnes after the festival was officially opened by Yarmouth mayor Michael Jeal.

THE first pints have been pulled at this year's Great Yarmouth Beer and Cider Festival, which started today at the historic Priory Centre.

Drinkers toasted the home brewing competition winner Richard Barnes after the festival was officially opened by Yarmouth mayor Michael Jeal.

Richard was declared the winner for his 'Stout Lad' by Blackfriars Brewery owner Bill Russell and received an engraved tankard and �100 of beer.

The competition was being held for the first time at this year's festival, which continues over the bank holiday weekend.

Civil servant Richard, from Gorleston, said: “I have been brewing for about a year and this was an all grain stout beer.

“It is fantastic to win, when I heard they were doing a home brewing competition I knew I had to enter.

“Not many hobbies give you the pleasure of brewing beer. I came to festival last year and I will be back tomorrow night.”

Mr Russell praised the standard of entries for the competition which included a brew by outgoing mayor Tony Smith.

The event attracts a great deal of interest from independent brewers from around Norfolk and north Suffolk, with some 40 breweries providing over 100 real ales, bitters and ciders for enthusiasts to sample.

The festival will run through to Sunday, opening for two sessions daily at 11am to 3pm and 5pm to 11pm.

A feast of musical entertainment has also been laid on with folk, Irish folk, skiffle and jazz musicians performing at various sessions.