A NEW Clarets Fanzone proved so popular with matchday punters it sold out of beer in just two-and- a-half hours.

More than 500 people visited Turf Moor’s new watering hole in the run-up to Burnley FC’s game against West Ham United on Saturday.

The marquee in the ground’s car park in Harry Potts Way, sponsored by Burnley brewery Moorhouses, sold out of four barrels of real ale half an hour before the match started – far exceeding organisers expectations.

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The Fanzone is a new area designed to enhance Burnley FC ticketholders matchday experience – with hot food, drinks, live music, player appearances and visits from Bertie Bee.

However the club’s catering manager, Chris Gibson, said his team have now ordered double the amount of the beer for the ground’s Fanzone to avoid any empty glasses at the Everton match on Sunday.

He said: “We were absolutely gobsmacked by how successful it was. We were really surprised how well we did on the first day we’d been open.

“But we’re going to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen this weekend now that we know how much people like it there.

“The Fun Zone is for everyone, even away fans if they behave themselves, and not just ticket holders. We thought it was a good way to get people down to the ground a bit earlier. On Saturday, we had an appearance by striker Sam Vokes, live music, a football quiz and all sorts going on, and we will do on each match day now.

“The entertainment area is outside, so we’ll just be hoping for good weather.”

The Fun Zone is also running a competition where families can enter themselves into a draw for pitch-side tickets for that day’s match, providing they get to the venue 90 minutes before the game starts.

Mr Gibson said: “They get to see the players warm up and have their picture on the big screen. It’s just nice to have that sort of involvement.”

Bosses at Moorhouses said they were delighted to support the new Clarets Fanzone.

Managing director David Grant said: “Last Saturday’s festival was very well received by fans and the beers sold out very quickly. It was such a success that the club has already doubled its order for the next festival.

“The events give us a great platform to showcase our award-winning beers.”