THREE nights of live music will help this year’s Middle Earth Beer Festival in the Ribble Valley go with a swing.

The festival which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year will be held at Hurst Green Village Hall from Thursday, April 4 to Sunday, April 7.

This year it promises to be the biggest event yet with around 40 different real ales available to try, plus a two-day Hobbiton Market on the Saturday and Sunday featuring local producers and artisan crafts offering their wares for sale.

The music festival starts on Thursday, April 4 when local acoustic duo The Remedy will be supporting three of the leading figures in folk rock.

The Acoustic Gathering features Doug Morter of the Albion Band and Magna Carter, legendary guitarist Jerry Donahue ,who played with Sandy Denny and Fairport Convention, and Lindisfarne’s Ray Jackson.

On April 5 local favourites The Swing Commanders will be bringing their own stylish version of Western Swing and vintage tunes to the venue.

On Saturday night, it’s the turn of the Ribble and Booze Band, a collection of highly-talented local musicians recreating some classic R&B from the likes of BB King, Dr Feelgood and even The Blues Brothers.

They will be supporting one of the most impressive live acts around, George Borowski and the Fabulous Wonder-fuls.

The festival ends on Sunday night with Liverpool-based The Raga-muffins. who recently impressed when supporting Ian Prowse at Chipping Village Hall.

Over the weekend, there will also be acoustic sessions from11am to 4.30pm.

For full details of the festival, which takes its name from JRR Tolkien’s connections to the area, visit the website www.middlearth beerfestival.co.uk