THE streets of a Herefordshire town will go hopping mad next month during a festival to celebrate one of the county's finest products.

The fifth annual Bromyard Hop Festival takes place on September 5 with organisers hoping crowd numbers will top the estimated 5,000 who turned up last year.

Among the highlights is the hop pocket race which sees competitors race through Broad Street and High Street.

The festival will kick-off at 10am with the town's Mayor, Cllr Tony Burt, getting the race underway at 4.30pm from the Market Square.

The winners will be presented with their prizes at 6pm.

Other attractions will include rural crafts on the town green and a craft fair in the public hall.

A climbing wall will also make an appearance this year.

Hop-bines will also be on sale at the green along with a display of hop-picking through the years, provided by Bromyard History Society.

Another highlight will be a parade of vintage tractors and cars which will set off just before 1.30pm.

A new hop play has been specially written for the event and will be performed by county actors twice during the day at the Conquest Theatre, at 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

On the music front, Folk in the Foyer kicks things off at the Conquest on Friday evening (4th).

The following day, on the town green, folk-style music will be held between 10am-4pm.

Rock and pop will dominant proceedings in the Market Square.

To enter the hop pocket race, download an entry form at bromyardhopfestival.co.uk