KEIGHLEY heritage railway bosses are toasting the success of a beer and music festival.

The four-day event, on the Keighley & Worth Valley line, has been hailed as one of the busiest ever.

"It has been brilliant," said marketing officer, Sarah Howsen.

"The festival has been running for a number of years but I've never seen as many people as this time.

"Yesterday, the exhibition hall at Oxenhope – which housed the main bar – was packed all day.

"There are a lot of local people come along but also visitors from a wider area.

"We provide a bus from Hebden Bridge and that in turn draws many folk from across the Pennines.

"The sheer volume of people getting on and off the trains caused some slight delays, but everything went fantastically well.

"We were delighted."

The extravaganza, which began on Thursday and ends today, has featured over 150 ales from across the country.

There was also an impressive selection of wines and ciders.

Live music has been provided, at the exhibition hall and in a marquee at Keighley, by a huge range of acts.

All profits from the festival are going towards the restoration of the Ivatt steam loco, number 41241.

It was one of two locomotives that hauled a special service when the line was reopened by volunteers in 1968 and the railway aims to have it back in service for anniversary celebrations in 2018.

"At the moment Ivatt is in bits but it is such an important part of our history and we want to see it back in steam for our 50th year," said Ms Howsen.

In support of the restoration appeal, which has a £200,000 target, Kirkstall Brewery – the festival's main sponsor – produced a special Ivatt Ruby Ale which has been on sale over the weekend.

And there was a sales stand and tombola to further boost funds.

As well as the main festival bar, there have been bars provided by the Kirkstall company, Keighley brewers Bridgehouse and Goose Eye and Malton-based Brass Castle.

Today has also featured children's entertainment, including face painting and a magic act.

Steam trains are operating daily this week for the school half-term holidays and the railway is busy gearing-up for the ever-popular Santa Specials, which run every weekend from November 26 until Christmas.

Visit kwvr.co.uk for more details.