SUCH was the popularity of the Dartmoor Folk Festival last weekend that even the local pubs ran out of beer!

Fortunately, supplies were drafted in to replenish the stocks at South Zeal's two village pubs and the festival bar to cater for record attendances at the event.

Centred on South Zeal, the festival radiated music, dance and song and a warm welcoming atmosphere throughout the three days.

This traditional festival featured the delights of the broom dance championships, craft displays, a ceilidh, children's entertainment, side shows and a Sunday ramble over the moor.

The event opened on the Friday evening with a host of folk stars and the action continued through to a grand finale music hall rounding off the festival on the Sunday evening.

Festival president Joyce Cann, wife of the late Bob Cann who founded the event, said: 'The whole weekend went really well — it seems to get better and better.'

'I must thank the residents of South Zeal for putting up with so many people in the village for the weekend.'

For the first time an overflow car park had to be used and when the rain came down on Sunday all the arena activities were transferred into an enormous marquee.

The Dartmoor Broom Dance champion was Megan Pillar, aged 10, of South Zeal, who learnt the dance at South Tawton Primary School.

Simon Richie, of Thaxted, Essex, was the Step Dance champion for the fourth time. He has been attending the festival, with his family, for many years and it was his daughter, Rosie, 10, who won the Junior Step Dance competition.

Another highlight of the festival was the launch of a new CD entitled 'Moor Music' by Mark Bazeley, of South Zeal, and Jason Rice, of Copplestone. Both are members of the Dartmoor Pixie Band, who performed at the event and help raise funds for it throughout the year by holding dances.

Press officer Alan Quick said more than 50 children attended the children's evening at South Zeal Victory Hall with plenty of visitors taking part in the ramble over the moor and the folk service.

'It was certainly a colourful event with morris teams dancing in the street and hordes of people attending the Dartmoor fayre and the song, music and dance workshops,' he said.

'Several festival-goers came here once the Sidmouth Festival had finished which is what we hoped they would do.'

He said everything went smoothly and visitors enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.

'The pubs and village shops did a lot of trade and our campsite saw lots of people staying for the full three days,' he added.