THOUSANDS of cider-lovers descended to Monmouthshire as a popular festival returned for its sixteenth year.

The Welsh Perry and Cider Festival took place at Caldicot Castle this Bank Holiday weekend from Friday, May 26 until Monday, May 29.

The event, organised by the Welsh Perry and Cider Society, celebrated the best of Welsh producers and gave them the chance to show off their products.

Event co-ordinator Cressida Prout said: “It has been a brilliant weekend - we have had about 3,700 people coming across the whole weekend, which is about the same as last year.

“The difference was the amount of people who bought their tickets in advance, which shows the festival has a really good reputation and that people are looking forward to it.”

She said they had 102 ciders on the bar from 22 different cider producers from all over Wales.

Phill Palmer, from Palmer’s Upland Cyder, said the festival had been “great.”

Mr Palmer, who is a teacher and makes his cider as a hobby from his garden shed in the Rogerstone area of Newport, said: “There has been great cider, great food and a really friendly atmosphere. I have really enjoyed myself.”

Competitions were also held to find the festival’s best ciders and perries, ranging from the best medium draught to the best oak conditioned cider, and live music was provided by 16 local artists across the weekend.

Kirsty Jones, from the Malpas area of Newport, was at the festival.

The 37-year-old said: “I think it is lovely here, the bands were my favourite part.”