THE annual Sheriff of York's Assize of Ale festival was a roaring success which has raised more than £3,000 for charity.

The Sheriff, Barrie Ferguson, and the Master of the Guild of Scriveners, Karen Russell, stood outside the Mansion House while Mr Ferguson summoned 150 people charged with collecting money on his behalf at 24 of York's hostelries.

Mr Ferguson said: "We launched ourselves on to 24 suspecting pubs because they knew we were coming, and, yes, I did taste the ale in every one I visited."

Although the donations have not been counted yet, Mr Ferguson estimated that between £3,000 and £5,000 had been raised.

The fundraisers, some in medieval costume, met at York's newest watering hole, the Last Drop Inn, when they had finished their four-hour drinks survey.

The event, organised by the Guild of Scriveners, is a tradition which was originally intended to test that ale on sale in the city was of marketable quality.

Mr Ferguson said: "It seems to me that the Last Drop Inn is a very lively and useful addition to the city.

"We nearly all finished up there.

"After tasting the beer at all those pubs I just about knew where I was going, but some, I don't know where they finished up."

The party then continued at the Mansion House where the fundraisers enjoyed a medieval banquet.

PICTURE - Karen Russell, Master of the Guild of Scriveners, James Pennock, Mace Bearer, and Barrie Ferguson, Sheriff of York, ready for the start of York's Assize of Ale Picture: Paul Baker