PREPARATIONS for this year's Northwich Beer Festival are brewing nicely.

Organisers are finalising plans for one of the town's premier annual events, which takes place at the Memorial Hall on September 17 and 18.

The Rotary Clubs of Northwich and Northwich-Vale Royal are delighted with this year's programme and festival chairman, Rotarian Trevor Meech, said: "This will be the seventh consecutive year that the Rotary clubs have organised the festival in conjunction with CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

"We have no doubt that the people of Northwich will support us once again in raising a considerable sum of money, which will be distributed mainly to charities and good causes."

Since the festival was launched in 1993, more than £5,000 has been raised for charity and almost 1,500 people have sampled good company, excellent entertainment and even better beer.

Each year CAMRA themes the beers to a particular part of the country and this year the chosen area is the Pennines.

More than 50 different beers will be available, including old favourites like Wobbly Bob. There will also be a range of lagers on offer, as well as wine and soft drinks.

Bands will play live on both nights and visitors can enjoy raffles and other entertainment. For the first time, this year's event will also feature stalls from St Luke's Hospice and Age Concern, just two of the charities helped by the Rotary clubs.

Also new this year is a competition being run with the Guardian to find Northwich's Pub of the Year. Editor Nicola Dufty said: "We are very pleased to support the Beer Festival because of the way it helps local charities."

The competition will be launched on August 11 and the winner will be announced two days before the festival starts. The winning publican will receive a cup, a plaque and a chance to sample the delights of Warrington's Coach House Brewery with a partner or friend.

The main sponsor of this year's festival will be Manchester-based Keyline Communications. Organisers are also looking for firms to sponsor barrels of beer. For £80, companies can enjoy a range of benefits.

For more details, ring Rotarian Peter Hall on 01606 781990.

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