CROWDS of people are expected to flock to a small market town in search of unusual ales and fine food.

Broughton Festival of Beer is a popular event that brings together every pub in the area in celebration of some of the industry's finest ales.

Six pubs from across the area will be taking part in the event, with the addition of the Newfield Inn at Seathwaite.

Each pub will have a host of different ales and entertainments on offer in a combined attempt to give Broughton a weekend to remember.

John Jardine , owner of the Old King's Head in Broughton , loves the annual event which now marks a special anniversary for him.

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He said: "I'm very excited. It's our second festival and it's our first anniversary because we opened this weekend last year.

"It was a baptism of fire but it was great.

"We've got a load more beers this year - everything from pale ales to darker beers.

"We'll be using our outdoor bus stop bar this year as well. We've got live music on the Friday night and a special food menu for it. We're getting some Frankfurters from London - they're the best."

Landlords from across the town work together to create a fantastic event for the town and Mr Jardine believes this is what sets the festival apart from others.

He said: "Each pub has its own different character, different beers and its own things going on.

"You can walk around the town and get a totally different atmosphere in each pub."

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Andy Webber, owner of the Black Cock Inn, agrees with Mr Jardine and is excited to host his own live music event on Saturday night.

He said: "It's a cracking event. We get people from all over the place and we get loads of people from Barrow coming up on the train.

"I just hope the weather holds out."

Buses will be available to ferry people from pub to pub, in addition to taking them the eight-mile journey to Seathwaite.

More than 100 ales will be on offer, in addition to a wide variety of tasty food.

Scott Barty, owner of the Manor Arms, has been instrumental in organising the event, alongside owners of the Prince of Wales pub.

He said: "It's been running about 14 or 15 years now and it's just unique.

"People can wander into different pubs and will get a totally different selection in each.

"We've got an outdoor bar in the square as well. It's just something a bit different."

The pubs involved are the Prince of Wales pub in Foxfield, the High Cross Inn, Manor Arms, Black Cock Inn, The Old King's Head, The Bear in the Square in Millom and the Newfield Inn at Seathwaite.

The beer festival will begin today and will end on Sunday October 2.