A NEW beer festival in York has been hailed a great success after 500 people crowded into the sold out event.

Coptoberfest was organised by Ainsty Ales at St Giles' Church in Copmanthorpe on Saturday.

Andy Herrington, of Ainsty Ales, said: "It went far better than the vicar Geoff Mumford or I expected. We only printed 500 tickets out and they had sold by 7pm.

"It was very, very popular and there was a broad demographic of the village there."

Andy said the event will be back next year with twice as many beers as demand outstripped supply by the end of the night.

Pork pies supplied by York's Ged Bell Butchers also proved very popular.