A MALVERN woman has scooped what would be many people's dream job - beer taster at the Worcester Beer and Cider Festival.

Jo Hannon was picked from almost 40 applicants to try 180 beers to check the aroma, clarity and taste before they are made available to the general public.

Entries came flooding in to the festival organiser, the Campaign for Real Ale, from as far afield as Aberdeenshire, but Ms Hannon's name was the first drawn from the hat.

The 28-year-old said she planned to take a friend along to help her get through the vast number of varieties of beer at the festival, which is at Worcester Racecourse from August 14 to 16.

"I really didn't expect to win," she said.

"I've heard lots of people rave about it, they say it's a really good day out.

"I'm more of a wine connoisseur these days but I'm partial to a bit of beer now and again."

The festival will be opened by Suzanne Virdee of BBC Midlands Today.