A BEER and cider festival is getting under way in south Cumbria today.

The New Union will have around 25 beers, 20 keg beers, 15 cask ales and 20 ciders for the public to try.

There will be free 'meet the brewer' events between noon and 4pm on both Friday and Saturday. Gan Yam Brewery will be at the pub on Friday, and Lakes Brew Co on Saturday. People can turn up at any time to ask the brewers questions, and the beers each brewery produces will be available at the pub.

Food will be served throughout the event - which is running today, tomorrow and Saturday - including by Food From The Fells on Saturday.

A beer brewed by the New Union team itself at Fell Brewery will also be available.

Phil Walker, landlord of The New Union, said: "We are looking forward to having people back at a beer festival again for the first time in two years, and it's also celebrating four years since The New Union opened."

The pub, which is situated in Stricklandgate, Kendal, and opens from 3pm today and noon tomorrow and Saturday, will also be hosting live music.