Silver celebrations ensured Keighley Beer Festival was a delight for real ale enthusiasts from across the world.

The event, now in its 25th year, attracted 1,200 people, including visitors from as far afield as Germany, Denmark and New York.

Organisers were delighted the festival – being held for the second time at Central Hall in Alice Street – attracted many more people than last year.

The first beer to sell out was Silver Delight, a drink created by Keighley brewery Timothy Taylor to celebrate the anniversary.

The festival is organised by the Keighley and Craven branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

On sale were 70 British real ales, ten ciders and perries, and 52 foreign bottled beers, including American ales rarely seen in the UK.

Festival-goers voted Titanic Plum Porter from Staffordshire as the best beer, with Over and Stout from Goose Eye Brewery at Ingrow coming a close second and Roman Black from Merseyside third.

Publicity officer, Anne Berry, said: “When the festival closed there were about 20 beers left, which belies the common myth there’s nothing left by Saturday night.

“Customers commented on the excellent beer quality and the fact it was cool. The hoppy American beers proved popular with customers, as did the Belgian fruit beers.”

The festival hosted the regional judging for the strong milds and old ales category of the Champion Beer of Britain competition.

Anne said: “A panel of experts blind-tasted the short-listed beers and the winner was Midnight Bell, a full-bodied strong mild from Leeds Brewery.

“This will now go forward to represent the area in the national competition. The contest meant there were a higher proportion of dark beers than usual, which proved popular with customers.”

Keighley mayor, Councillor Sally Walker, visited the festival on Thursday evening, and festival-goers donated about £180 to her charities.

More than 30 people also joined CAMRA during the festival.