BEER lovers are set for a barrel of fun this weekend as a popular real ale festival serves an abundance of brews to its visitors.

The annual Broughton Festival of Beer kicked of yesterday rounding up more than 90 real ales, ciders and perrys to sample over the weekend.

The Broughton pubs involved in the event are the Manor Arms, the Black Cock Inn, the High Cross and the Old King’s Head. 

Other pubs getting in on the act are the Prince of Wales at Foxfield and the Travellers Alms in Ulpha which will be putting on musical entertainment for the crowds to enjoy. 

Proving a success for more than 20 years, this gathering of real ale lovers has drawn in people from all over. 

Landlord and event organiser, Scott Varty whose family has owned the Manor in Broughton for more than 27 years, said: "Here at the Manor we will have 35 different ales available in the pub and our outside bar in the village square and there will also be food on sale to soak up some of the beer. 

"It's looking like a good weekend with lots of sunshine so come along and enjoy with us." 

The Manor, which this year won the Furness Camra Pub Of The Year award will be serving a wide selection of real ales both inside and out. 

As well as the public transport in the area there will be a special minibus provided to take tipplers to the outlying pubs over the weekend. 

Shuttle buses will also be there to meet all the trains as they arrive in Foxfield. 

All buses cost £1 per trip. 

With an endless list of beers, perries and ciders, visitors will have an ample choice to keep them going throughout the four day festival.

John Jardine who has just taken over the The Old Kings Head in Broughton, said: "It is going to be our first beer festival as we will be opening on the day the festival starts. It is going to be a new start for us and we are looking forward to it."

 Further details about the festival including a full list of which beers are available at each pub and details of transport options are available on the website www.broughtonfestivalofbeer.