GLASSES will be raised to the enduring success of a local beer festival this weekend.

This Saturday, June 6, will see the Pauntley Real Ale Festival celebrating its sixth year, and thirsty crowds are expected, and perhaps even the ghost of a pantomime favourite will join in with the toast.

A spokesman said: "Pauntley is a sleepy parish just outside Newent which is famous for being the birthplace of that famous Lord Mayor of London, Dick Whittington.

"The festival is hosted by members of the real ale group CAMRA and since its innocuous inception five years ago, it has blossomed into an extremely successful festival."

He added: "The idea for the festival was conceived by Rik Kucharski and Pamela Lomax, Andy and Mandy Hampton and Mark and Jo Robinson and what started with one barrel of ale and a barbecue has, in those subsequent years, become a fully fledged, all day festival with music on stage all day and attendance in excess of 500 last year.

"This year the festival is offering a pig roast, a barbecue, bar snacks, vegetarian foods, the signature real ales, of course, together with with lagers, ciders, perry and wines, tea coffee and soft drinks."

There will be live music and entertainment on stage featuring local bands all day, and well into the evening, together with story telling, face painting and a raffle and other stalls."

Tickets and further details on 07715 530236 or 01531 820075, and on pauntleyrealalefestival.org

The festival be held at Pauntley Village Hall, Brands Green from noon to 11pm, this Saturday, June 6.