REAL ale enthusiasts again queued up outside the Maltings in the early hours of Sunday for sought-after tickets to the 40th anniversary Farnham Beerex.

First in line, and not for the first time, was Robin Thompson from Walton-on-Thames who arrived just after midnight and erected his tent outside the Maltings entrance in anticipation of the ticket sale starting at 8am.

He was joined by Peter Cowers from Farnham and Martin Fayre from Southbourne near Emsworth at 3.45am, followed by Mike Woodford from Ash Vale at about 3.50am and Ross James from Nether Wallop 10 minutes later.

“The ticket sale went very well,” said Phil Williams of Beerex co-organisers the Farnham Lions. “It was a cold but dry night with over 150 queueing before 8am.

“Tickets for this year’s special event sold even faster than usual with more tickets sold for each session than we did at last year’s general sale. The Saturday and Friday tickets sold out completely.

“Some tickets are still available for Thursday night and can now be obtained from the Maltings box office or via the Maltings website.”

Various special events will celebrate the ruby anniversary of Beerex from April 21 to 23. As well as the usual carefully selected range of beers, ciders and perries, the 2016 instalment of Beerex will include some breweries that were at the inaugural 1977 event.

In addition, the first band to perform at Beerex, Peter, Paul and Mary’s Brother, will make a long-awaited return at the Thursday session to celebrate this special event.

A special range of 40th anniversary branded clothing will also sold at the festival for the first time, all in aid of charity. For more information and tickets, visit the website farnhammaltings.com.