A POPULAR gin festival returned to Winchester. Hundreds of people from across the county flocked to the Guildhall on Saturday to sample more than 100 different types of gin.

The event gave residents the chance to learn more about gin, how it is made and what is the best food to have with it.

Organised by Mega Events, the Great British Gin Festival returned to the city for the second year running.

Organisers said it proved a success once again with more than 700 people taking part.

Juliette Dean, one of the organisers of the event, said: “We came here last year and it was so successful that we came back. It went really well and everyone was happy. It is for people to enjoy and relax and learn about gin.”

Anne Gilbert, 61, a quality administrator from Andover, attended with her family. She said: “This is our first time here. It is wonderful. Just the whole atmosphere is lovely.”