FRUSTRATION frothed over as hundreds of thirsty revellers were turned away from a record-breaking Bromsgrove real ale and cider festival tent - when it ran out of beer.

Drinkers vented their anger on social networking sites after apologetic organisers closed the tent to newcomers on the second public day of the festival when the 9,000 pints of beer and 350 gallons of cider on offer ran dry.

The event had started on Thursday with a night for CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale - members and trade only, setting out a stall of 120 real ales, some of them from local breweries, and 50 ciders and perries.

The warmer weather and increased promotion of the event led to a record 1,800 people flocking to the 13th Bromsgrove Beer and Cider Festival at the town's rugby club on Friday - 50 per cent up on the previous year's turnout.

Organisers sent out an SOS for fresh supplies but, as real ale needs to settle before being served, they could order only three more casks of "bright beer", which has the yeast removed.

At 3pm on Saturday organisers from Redditch and Bromsgrove CAMRA reluctantly decided they had to turn away newcomers as less than 10 per cent of the stock remained in the tent.

And by 6pm - three hours before the event was due to close - it had all run out.

Many of those attending still managed to enjoy the atmosphere at the ground, where there were live bands and they could buy drinks from the mounting queues at the rugby club's bars and pizzas, hot dogs and burgers from fast food outlets.

CAMRA spokesman Tony Colclough said: "We were a victim of our own success.

"There was a lot of disappointment as we had to turn several hundred people away, some of whom went to the field and the rugby club, where there was a relaxed atmosphere.

"Some were angry and there were a lot of comments on Facebook and Twitter about a lack of organisation and planning.

"In our defence, last year we threw away beer because we didn't sell enough.

"We have to put a lot of cash up front to pay on delivery and it's a difficult balance."

Comments on Facebook included one from Jez Mason, saying: "What's the point of a beer festival when there's no beer!!! Really."

Karl Watkins commented: "3 day festival and you run out after 2. Don't let them organise it again. Go elsewhere."

And Rachel Head said: "Travelled from Shropshire and no beer....Sad times."

Mr Colclough said: "Overall it was a success. The fact we ran our of beer is a success in one way because we have proven we can get people in.

"But we will have a wash-up meeting to see what we can do better for future events."

The festival was raising money for the Worcester-Birmingham & Droitwich Canal Society, which is celebrating 200 years of navigation on the Worcester-Birmingham canal but the amount is not yet known.