THE popular Beer on the Wye festival in Hereford returns this weekend with a record 175 beers and also 150 ciders and perries to choose from.

The annual event is now in its 14th year and will return to its trademark marquee next to Hereford’s Rowing Club this weekend.

Organisers, Herefordshire CAMRA, are promising that the riverside festival will be the biggest and best to date, with live entertainment and food also on offer.

Mark Haslam, one of the festival’s organising team, said: “It’s so much more than just a beer and cider festival. It has a wonderful laid-back atmosphere, which means it’s family-friendly too.

"You can enjoy a picnic with friends or just watch the waters of the River Wye drift idly by. In the evenings things pick up in tempo when eight headline bands take to the stage. And on the Sunday is the ever-popular Family Fun Day with all its fun and activities being great for bringing the kids along to.”

On Friday afternoon the festival will welcome fundraisers from Herefordshire-based charity Aspire Living, who are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the founding of the organisation dedicated to supporting people with learning disabilities. They are taking part in a six counties walk and will celebrate their efforts by finishing at the festival.

The festival will be opened on the Friday afternoon by Channel 4’s ciderologist Gabe Cook; more than 100 of the ciders and perries on offer will come from small Herefordshire producers alone.

Mark said: “There will be a number of improvements this year. Banished are the old portaloos in favour of posher toilet facilities, and we’ve also got more tables and seating to help things along."

Beer on the Wye runs from 2pm to 11pm on Friday, July 6, 12noon to 11pm on Saturday and 12noon to 5pm on Sunday. Entry is £4 on Friday, £6 on Saturday and £1 on Sunday. For more information on the festival, including times, prices and band listings go to: beeronthewye.org.uk