HUNDREDS of people turned out to raise thousands of pounds to help fund this year's Devizes carnival and street festival by downing a big variety of winter ales.

Kelvin Nash the chairman of Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts, which organised the event in the Corn Exchange with the backing of Stealth Brewery, was delighted with the turn out on both Friday evening and two sessions on Saturday.

He said: "It was really excellent. It is probably the best one we have ever had. People came from quite a distance to attend and one man who is a regular at similar events praised the beers as some of the best he has ever had.

"The atmosphere was fantastic for all the sessions.

"We had people young and old taking part. Quite a few women were also enjoying the beer and cider. The first to sell out was rhubarb flavoured. The entertainment which included comedian Dan The Hat and music acts went down very well. "

Mr Nash hopes the beer drinkers will have helped to swell the carnival and street festival coffers by at least £3,000. The money will be used to support activities such as the Devizes International Street Festival, Devizes Carnival, Confetti Battle and Christmas Lantern Parade.

Mr Nash and other members of DOCA are keeping their fingers crossed that an Arts Council grant will be approved next month. He said: "When it comes to applying for grant it is good that we can show that we are raising money ourselves and it can be match funded."

But the organisation is keen to attract more sponsorship from companies in the town and for more of them to enter floats or walking entries in this year's carnival which this year has been moved forward to July 13. He said: "Our parks team enters and it is fantastic for team building. We hope firms will realise what fun it can be and great for way for strengthening bonds.

"A lot of companies pay a lot of money to send their staff on team building exercises but we can offer the same sort of experience for a fraction of the cost."

He said that if the worst happens and the grant is not approved in time for the carnival parade it is still likely to take place but ideas such as sending professional artists into school to help create entries may have to be scrapped.

The committee hopes the early date will make it easier for schools to enter as they will not have broken up for the summer holidays.

The Confetti Battle will take place on August 31 when the carnival procession would usually have happened and will incorporate the Colour Rush race.