A BEER and music festival held in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) raised £27,000 for the charity.

The annual CornShed festivals are hosted by Judy Kitching MBE at Sexhow Farm, Hutton Rudby, near Yarm.

The music festival-goers enjoyed a two-day event, with a variety of musical performances from bands including The Fallen, Steal Strings and Last Anthem.

At the one-day beer festival there were more than 50 barrels of ale available plus 12 boxes of cider and perry along with a various selection of wines.

Mandy Drake, head of fundraising at GNAAS said: “The events were both huge successes - that’s clear to see from the massive amount raised. We can’t thank Judy and all this year’s volunteers, supporters and attendees enough.”

A specially-brewed beer, named MBEer in honour of Mrs Kitching, sold out just three hours into the event, and by last orders the vast majority of the remaining barrels had been supped dry.

The Cleveland Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) provided their expertise at the event, as well as bringing along lots of volunteers to help keep the beers in optimum condition.

Mrs Kitching presented the cheque to GNAAS at a celebration event on September 14.

Next year’s CornShed Festival will be held on the summer solstice weekend, Friday, June 20 Saturday 21, and next year’s Beer Festival will be held on Saturday, September 6.