REAL ale lovers are set to flock to Clitheroe for a beer bonanza.

The two-day Clitheroe Beer Festival will be held in St Mary's Centre, Church Street, and will feature 68 different ales from 53 breweries.

This year's event will be opened by restaurateur Paul Heathcote on Friday, May 13 at midday.

And his restaurant in York Street in the town is putting together a number of beer based dishes to celebrate the event with visitors able to sample food related to their favourite drink.

Festival goers will also be celebrating CAMRA’s 40th anniversary with many of the beers from breweries that were in production in 1971, including Thwaites, Fullers, Hook Norton and Joseph Holt.

Bowland Breweries, based in Bashall, near Clitheroe, award-winning Burnley-based Moorhouses and Darwen-based Blue Buzzard and Fallon's have all agreed to take part.

Martin Snelling, festival organiser, said: "I hope that it is as busy as last year when we attracted around 1,500 people to the event.

"It is a great festival and people get to sample some fantastic drinks including real ales and ciders from breweries across the country."

The festival will also include performances by local bands Compared to What and The Witnesses and there will be a selection of wines and ciders.

It is a joint event run by the St Mary’s centre and the East Lancs branch of CAMRA, the campaign for Real Ale.

Opening times are 12noon to 11pm on both days.

Entry on the door will cost £1 before 6pm and £2 after 6pm. Admission is free for CAMRA members and NUS card-holders.