ATHERTON and Tyldesley Round Table members were delighted with the success of their 17th Bent & Bongs Beer Bash which proved to be a record-breaker.

More than 10,000 pints of ale were quaffed during the two-day festival, plus all the lagers and bottled beers.

Even the ciders enjoyed a record re-order with 1,000 pints sold before they ran out on Saturday evening!

Bent & Bongs is known as "the friendly beer festival" with people travelling from America, Canada, Ireland and from all over the UK to sample the fun.

This year, there were even two guests from Amarillo - "perhaps they can tell Peter Kay the way!" commented festival founder Brian Gleave.

Chairman Martin Clementson passed on his thanks to everyone who helped, especially the record 85 sponors, including 18 new ones.

Major sponsors were Paramount Windows and Hi-Tec Scaffolding "without whom the beer festival would not be possible", he said. About 75 staff also worked flat out, without payment, at the Formby Hall event.

And the best news is that the Bash is expected to have raised more than £20,000 for local charities, including Bolton-based national charity Vision Aid which helps blind and visually impaired children and their families.

But Round Table chairman Paul Hodson sounded a warning note about the future of the popular annual event.

He said: "If you enjoy Bent & Bongs then please contact us and see if you enjoy Round Table.

"Numbers are dwindling and unless we get new members there is a danger that, at some stage in the future, there will be no more beer festival."

Potential members just need to be aged between 18 and 45 and, added Paul, "enjoy having a good time, and preferably enjoy a drink."

Call Paul on 07989 825 729 for details.