WHEELBARROW racing will be one of the big attractions at the Colwall Alehouse Festival on Saturday.

The festival is held every year in honour of a historic village landmark which dates back to the village's reign of Henry VIII, a building where ale was sold to raise funds for the church.

The Alehouse later fell into disrepair, but during the 1980s it was repaired, opening up again in 1989 as a meeting place and focus for parish and village activities.

Saturday's event will be launched with a classic car cavalcade starting at the Wyche Innovation Centre at 10am and ending up at the Glebe House, where the cars will be on show all day.

There will also be an arts and crafts market showcasing a wide variety of glassware, jewellery, paintings, pottery, photographs and much more.

And a food and drink fair will bring together produce from some of the finest local makers, including bread, wine, scotch eggs, organic vegetables and luxury drinks.

And among the family fun events will be a mountain bike challenge, surf simulator, pentathlon, archery and music from Wilf's Carnival Band and Jenny Hallam.

One event that has attracted a lot of attention is the wheelbarrow challenge, which will see teams fiercely competing for the Golden Barrow, awarded by Colwall Rotary Club.

"Colwall Festival will be a great family day out," said Phil Hitchin, the organiser. "We’ve got lots of family fun games, food and drink, arts and crafts, and the classic car cavalcade. We’ve also got a special wheel-in visit from the world-famous Red Barrows display team."

The Red Barrows have been taking time out to rehearse in a secret location before wowing the crowds on Saturday, with choreographers Sue Armstrong and Leslie Hitchen working on a dare-devil display.

“Timing is key," said Sue. “One wrong step and the there’ll be an almighty crash of barrows resulting in dismay and humiliation."