A RECENT drinking event that took place across the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff has been branded a “disaster” by a Barry participant.

The Real Ale Trail took place last month and aimed to transport thousands of visitors across a route taking in small Welsh breweries in one day.

However, Andrew Burns, of Barry, called the event a “disaster” and said people were left stranded after a problem with the buses involved.

The 45-year-old said he left Barry at 1pm and got the train to Dinas Powys before managing one pub in Cowbridge before a two and a half hour journey back to Barry.

Mr Burns said: “We were left stranded in Cardiff as our bus went back to the depot with no replacement ready to go.

“One group of eight passengers started in Dinas and couldn’t go anywhere as the buses were not wheelchair accessible.

“They paid £120 for the privilege.

“All in all it was a complete disaster from the organisers.”

However, one of the organisers of The Real Ale Trail, which has been running for around eight years, said she has offered compensation and refunds to all those who complained and the issue was related to bus company.

Shelly Barratt, who started the event, said: “It was the first event ever in Cardiff and what a glorious day, all the pub did a great job of ales and food, and entertainment, the people were singing on the bus, the weather was glorious a perfect day to enjoy a day out with friends.

“But the bus company I chose to run the transport – NAT Travel Adventure –didn’t do the best of jobs.

“By not putting local drivers on route, buses went the wrong way which put a delay on the timetable.

“But, saying that, there were buses all day, with the last bus getting in at 12.55am to Cardiff.

“We want to connect people to rural pubs that they may not have been to, a lot of these pubs are in beautiful villages down country lanes.

“I’m looking forward to working with a different local bus company for the next trail, who have drivers that know the area inside out.”

Mr Burns was offered a refund and has been offered free tickets to the next event.

NAT was contacted for comment.