THOUSANDS of beer and cider lovers from across the Midlands and beyond converged on Worcester this weekend for the annual beer festival.

Now in its 18th year, the festival is organised by the city's Campaign for Real Ale branch as a showcase for dozens of independent brewers to present their wares.

This year, the line-up included 220 beers and 140 different ciders and perries, giving festival-goers a wide range of options to choose from.

The range included local beers from county-based brewers such as Popes, Teme Valley, Lakeside, Unity Brew House and Malvern Hills.

Rain on Friday night failed to deter festival-goers, who, instead of heading home as the heavens opened, crowded into the event's marquees and kept the festivities going.

Saturday proved drier, and heading up the queue as the festival opened at noon were Greg and Yvette Darby from Birmingham.

Mr Darby said: "I've been here eight times and I've always found it a great festival. It's around the time of my birthday and so it's my birthday treat."

For Mrs Darby, it's her second time at the festival. She said: "I came last year because one of Greg's friends couldn't make it, and it was so good that I decided I was coming back this year."

Helping the beer and cider drinkers pace themselves were stalls selling snacks, burgers, Mexican food and other taste treats.

Sue Tyley of Stroud-based Purely Picked Egg said: "This is a third year at Worcester. It's a great festival and we do really good business, not only selling to the festival-goers, but making contacts with pub landlords who become regular customers."

Another business, Big Horn Biltong of Flyford Flavell in Worcestershire, said that the festival was a great opportunity.

Carole Brown said: "It's got a really good atmosphere and on Friday we were rushed off our feet. The rain came but no-one went home. They all came into the marquee and it was like sardines, but it was great."

This year's festival was raising money for the Midlands Air Ambulance, St Paul's Hostel in Worcester and Heroes and Legends United, which supports families in difficult times; last year the festival donated more than £2,200 to its charities.