‘GIN o’clock’ returned to Burnley on Saturday as G and T lovers from across East Lancashire and beyond gathered to grab a taste of more than 100 tasty concoctions.

All day and all night at the Mechanics Theatre, gin enthusiasts could be seen filling up their own personal glasses with flavours from all over the world while spicing things up with a huge variety of tonics and garnishes.

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Not only was it a day to bask in botanical indulgence, visitors could also find out about the history of the popular spirit and the story behind how it is made in regular masterclasses throughout the day.

Ruth Potts, 56, from Haslingden got stuck into an Isfjord Gin from Greenland and gave it a glowing review.

She said: “I went down the international road and gave the Isfjord a go, it was really nice and tasted very pure.

“I love the variety at these events and I think gin is a really sociable drink because me and my friends tend to go out with each other to festivals and just to each other’s houses trying different ones.

“These festivals are the kind of thing you see in Manchester and London but it’s superb that a town like Burnley has one too.”

A particular favourite with the crowds upstairs at the Mechanics was Hoxton Gin from London, described as a ‘taste of the tropics’.

Christine Stevens, a 47-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, said: “The Hoxton tasted just like Malibu, absolutely gorgeous.

“I bought a bottle for my husband because he doesn’t like gin but he does like Malibu, so I think it’ll be a way in for him.

“It’s a real highlight event for me and my friends and this year it seemed to be busier than ever with a much better bar set-up, roll on next year.”

Margarita Bariou and her partner Gareth Dix from Dudley said they enjoyed the huge variety of gins on offer.

Mr Dix, who particularly enjoyed a seaweed gin, said: “This was our third time at a gin festival and I just love how there is so much to choose from.

“The different tastes, botanicals, tonics, garnishes; every gin you taste is so different from the last.

“Events like this bring a lot of life into Burnley and it seems to attract a lot of people.”