Large crowds braved the wet British summer to attend two annual festivals in a mid Suffolk town. 

The deluge of rain did not dampen spirits at either the Stowmarket Food Museum Beer Festival or the Stowmarket Food and Drink Festival, held over the weekend. 

More than 120 ales were on offer for drinkers at the Food Museum's beer festival, which was held in association with CAMRA and started on Thursday. 

There were more than 120 ales for people to choose fromThere were more than 120 ales for people to choose from (Image: Stowmarket Food Museum)

Ellen Harling, from the museum, said: "Our 27th Festival of beer and brewing was a great success and we were thrilled to see so many people braving the bad weather to celebrate all things brewing with us.

"There was a great mix of beer aficionados and people enjoying the Beer Festival for the first time.

“We were excited to bring some of the best local breweries to the festival, allowing festival goers to try something new and show off just how great the beer that’s being produced in East Anglia is. We can’t wait to be back again next year for our 28th Festival."

People were treated to rare glimpses of sunshinePeople were treated to rare glimpses of sunshine (Image: Stowmarket Food Museum)

Thousands of people attended the food and drink festival on SundayThousands of people attended the food and drink festival on Sunday (Image: Stowmarket Town Council)

The food and drink festival, hosted by the town council, saw thousands of people enjoy more than 70 different stalls of produce. 

Visitors were able to pick from woodfired pizza, Indian rice bowls, homemade fudge and locals wines as they made their way around the town. 

Children and adults braved the wet weatherChildren and adults braved the wet weather (Image: Stowmarket Town Council)

Molly Watling, community engagement and events officer for Stowmarket Town Council, said: "It was brilliant to see so many people enjoying this year’s Food & Drink festival even with a few showers in the afternoon - it felt like there was such a great community spirit.

"The festival offers a chance to showcase our town with vendors and traders in multiple locations, from the high street to the Food Museum and Red Gables presenting visitors with delicious food choices, activities or shopping at every turn."