CORKS were popping in Winchcombe on Saturday and Sunday as the town enjoyed its first Festival of Fizz.

About 3,000 people turned out across the weekend to mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of Christopher Merrett, who was born and raised in Gloucester Street in the town.

He is attributed to playing a major part in the creation of 'fizz' more than 20 years before Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon famously introduced champagne to the world in Epernay, France.

Trade outside The Lion Inn, North Street, and Food Fanatics was brisk as visitors enjoyed a carnival atmosphere with street cafes serving tasty morsels and bubbly.

There were also talks, demonstrations and music entertainment along with a family fun day on Sunday and a recital in St Peter's Church.

Organiser Chris Sweet said: "It went very well. We had the impression everyone really enjoyed it, it was something very different. We're looking towards next year already.

"People stood out in the street, drinking coffee, having food and sipping fizz, it was a lovely atmosphere.

Restaurant 5 North Street were doing free samples. I should think there was quite a bit [of bubbly] sampled.

"The Lion had their best Saturday ever. All in all it's great to be out on the street . We had a number of people saying it would be great to have this sort of thing all the time. I would create a nice atmosphere."