BURNLEY will host its third beer festival at the Mechanics Theatre this weekend.

The CAMRA-run event runs from today until Saturday and will raise money for Pendleside Hospice.

The event will feature over 80 real ales, ciders, perries, fruit beers and wines, as well as live entertainment.

A spokesman for Burnley Beer Festival said: “Although the town has played host to several cask ale events over the past decade, this is only the third time the Campaign for Real Ale has put on the show, and what a show it’s set to be.

“We will be sourcing over 80 top quality ales from across the country, all conveniently located in the popular Mechanics theatre in the town centre.

“We will have a great selection of ciders, perries and bottled beers to complement our great choice of ales, plus food, live music during the Friday and Saturday sessions, commemorative festival glasses and a charity prize draw.”

Local breweries featured include Moonstone, Moorhouses, Reedley Hallows, Snaggletooth and Worsthorne.

The festival opens at midday today and the theatre will be open from midday to 11pm on all three days, with entry £3.

On Friday night, The Blackjacks, featuring Bridge Bier Huis landlord Simon Scott on bass, will be live from 8.30pm, and on Saturday Fat G will take to the stage at 6.30pm, followed by Ring Ring Rouge from 9pm.