AROUND 3,000 drinkers are expected to descend on Worcester Racecourse this weekend for the third annual beer and cider festival, due to start today.

Hundreds of different beers and ciders from small breweries all over England will be on offer at the festival, organised by the Worcester branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

Visitors are expected to down more than 10,000 pints of beer and cider, much of it from Worcestershire breweries, at what has become the Midlands' biggest festival of its kind.

"All the preparation work is done - now we are hoping for good weather," said Camra spokesman John Maiden.

Evening News weatherman, Paul Damari, opened the festival earlier today, with a cooling pint.

The festival is staffed by volunteers, with funds this year going to the County Air Ambulance and Malvern-based Kaleidoscope Breakaway.

Times and prices are as follows: today, 7pm to 11pm, £3; tomorrow, noon to 5.30pm, £1 and 5.30pm to 11pm, £4.50; Saturday, 11am to 5.30pm, £3 and 5.30pm to 11pm, £4.50; and Sunday, from noon to 3pm, £1.