CASH-strapped Bury FC are hoping to raise £10,000 with the Forever Bury Beer Festival which takes place at the Gigg Lane Social Club this weekend.

The organisers are already well on their way towards that target even before the first pint is paid for.

More than 40 sponsors from as far away as Newcastle in the North and Worthing in the South have been recruited to sponsor some aspect of the event.

Thirty-two barrels have been sponsored including bitter, milds, lager, cider and one barrel of perry, a type of cider made from pears.

One feature of the event will be a bottle bar consisting of rare and wonderful bottle beers largely donated by club supporters.

Even Coca Cola will feature, The international soft drink giant has donated a state-of-the-art 14gear mountain bike to be raffled at the Festival.

Football will not be forgotten. The Social Club's big screen will be brought into use to show a string of Premiership games throughout the weekend and there will be a radio commentary on the Shakers' game at Southend on Saturday afternoon.

Organiser of the event, Dave Giffard commented: "It will be an incredible weekend of superb beer and football and everybody will have the excuse of doing their bit to help save our famous battling little120-year-old club".

This is the first of a series of fund raising event being promoted by the club and the Supporters' Turst. One of the most ambitious projects will be an attempt to fill the 12,000 capacity stadium for the home match against Grimsby Town on Good Friday, the only Football League game being played in England on that day.