A beer festival championing ales, ciders and perries returned for its 35th year in Dorchester. 

The Dorchester Beerex festival has run since 1988, and this year proved more popular than ever.

Eager fans could be seen queuing around the corner of the Dorchester Corn Exchange in the minutes leading up to the first session at 11am yesterday, Friday, February 3 for the festival, which this year is raising funds for the Robert White Centre at Dorset County Hospital (DCH).

Dorset Echo: Crowds queued round the corner of the Corn Exchange ahead of the first session on Friday.Crowds queued round the corner of the Corn Exchange ahead of the first session on Friday. (Image: Tom Harris)

The Robert White Centre provides specialist radiotherapy care and outpatient support for cancer patients treated at DCH, benefitting over 5000 patients a year.

One of those patients is Victor Irvine, who runs the Cerne Abbas brewery in partnership with Jodie Moore. 

Dorset Echo: Members of the Dorchester Beerex Commitee, a representative from the Robert White Centre, Cerne Abbas sponsors and the Mayor of Dorchester behind one of the bars.Members of the Dorchester Beerex Commitee, a representative from the Robert White Centre, Cerne Abbas sponsors and the Mayor of Dorchester behind one of the bars. (Image: Tom Harris)

The Dorset-based brewery is sponsoring this year's festival and ahead of the first day, Mr Irvine said: "It was an honour to be invited to be the main sponsor of the event. I am being looked after by the Robert White centre, I have cancer. So being in the position we're in, if we can help and steer the funds towards the centre is great. It puts a bit back. 

"Please drink as much beer as you can to raise as much money as you can for the Robert White Centre. Everyone works so hard here and it's an honour to be part of it - have a jolly good time!" He added. 

Four sessions will be taking place across two days with around 84 beers on offer to try, as well as ciders and perries in what is a staple event in the Dorchester calendar. 

Dorset Echo: Members of the Dorchester Beerex Commitee, a representative from the Robert White Centre, Cerne Abbas sponsors and the Mayor of Dorchester at the event.Members of the Dorchester Beerex Commitee, a representative from the Robert White Centre, Cerne Abbas sponsors and the Mayor of Dorchester at the event. (Image: Tom Harris)

The Mayor of Dorchester Janet Hewitt (who confirmed she was more of a cider drinker than a beer lover) was at the launch of this year's event and spoke highly of the annual festival. She said: "It is very important for the town.

"The money this year is going to the Robert White Centre at Dorset County Hospital so it is very important. It's a local charity, we are asking people to support it. We are sold out, we are expecting 1700 coming in over the next two days so that'll be good. 

"Come and enjoy yourselves, relax, support the event because of the charity and have a good time!

"They have a very good committee here who are very passionate about this. They do a fantastic job."

The two-day event which started yesterday, continues today, Saturday, February 4 at the Corn Exchange in Dorchester. 

Raffles were held on both days, as well as live entertainment from Jack Daniels last night and That Britpop Band tonight.