It wasn’t just the rain that brought an autumnal feel to the air – the Bavarian Beerhouse turned on the taps for a spring Oktoberfest.

For three nights the bar in Old Street, Finsbury, was the scene of steins, saurkraut and a live oompah band who set the tune for the festival.

Christen Ender, from the beerhouse, said: “We had a full house and the band had everyone dancing and enjoying themselves.”

And this was just a warm up for the main event. From September the Oktoberfest proper will roar on for a full five weeks.

Anyone planning to attend the whole event should get in training now.