GOOD spirits were in full flow throughout Bolton as glasses were raised to celebrate the Bank Holiday weekend.

Anyone passing the Edgworth Cricket Club may have heard the chinking of glasses, merry voices and music as the venue welcomed visitors for three days of drink-related festivities.

Hundreds of people turned out to enjoy the club's Beer, Gin and Prosecco Festival in its second year.

The fundraiser was hailed a huge success, already topping the 2016 total on the first night.

Organiser and former chairman Ian Waddicar said: "We have had a lot of people visiting today and have probably raised around £4,000, and we hope to raise a lot more by Monday.

"The event was successful last year but this year is already better. It is a lovely club and we want to raise as much as possible.

"The atmosphere has been really nice. This is a family-orientated club and there have been plenty of kids playing out in the grounds all day.

"Hopefully people will be able to enjoy getting outside when the weather improves."

The event raises money for the cricket club, who are hoping to put it towards a redevelopment of the changing rooms.

Sixteen real ales have been on offer at the event, as well as new additions of the gin and Prosecco bar and a bar featuring four American craft lagers.

Local beers, including Bank Top brewery, where out on the tap while the likes of Boland beer and Ringwood's Boon Doogle sold out in the first night.

Saturday featured a cup cricket game between Edgworth second team and Denton cricket club, while on Sunday there is a social cricket game taking place.

Guests also enjoyed BBQs and DJ.

Bar manager Dan Fyans said: "We do a lot of fundraising events but this one is the biggest on the calendar.

"It was a big success last year and we decided that it would be a great idea to do it again.

"We’ve got a great big deck at the cricket club and it would be a shame not to make the most of it, this is a great way to get the best out of it."

The town centre did not miss out on the party either with the newly reopened Albert Hall playing host to Bolton's first Gin Society Festival.

Running from Friday to Saturday, organisers praised the town for its welcoming reception - dubbing it the society's best festival so far.

Fans of the tipple made the most of the two-day event which brought a vintage-inspired feel to a day propping-up the bar.

Organising committee member Shelagh Bourke said: "It was an absolutely amazing event. We welcome around 1,500 people in total and the people of Bolton really stepped up, with lots of people arriving looking gorgeous.

"It was a really lovely atmosphere and everyone was enjoying themselves.

"We are only a young company, we have been going for under a year, but for us this was the best one we have ever done. It was just lovely."

The festival let visitors enjoy a selection of 95 different gins and as well as learn a few facts about the legendary libation from the distillers themselves.

Guests were taken back in time as Dr Sids Vintage Tunes brought the music of the 30s, 40s and 50s to the refurbished halls.

Manchester Gin were also on hand at the event and celebrated success as Boltonians provide they had a love for the Queen's favourite spirit.

Ms Bourke added: "They broke their sale records, they had a great time!

"People really pushed the boat out and we were really made welcome.

"It was even just little things like when we were unloading and van with heavy trolleys and people were stopping and offering to give us a hand. Everyone was just really lovely.

"It was an absolutely gorgeous place to hold the event and we are hoping to return next year. We are already in negotiations and want to make this an annual event."