THOUSANDS of drinkers will be downing more than 10,000 pints of real ale this week at the Midlands' biggest beer and cider festival.

Worcester racecourse is to play host to the Campaign for Real Ale event, due to run from Thursday to Sunday on Pitchcroft.

The festival, now in its third year, is staffed by volunteers who have raised more than £1,150 for charity, including St Richard's Hospice and Malvern-based Kaleidoscope Breakaway. This year, the County Air Ambulance and Kaleidoscope will benefit.

More than 3,000 drinkers will descend on the racecourse for a taste of real ale - much of which will come from Worcestershire breweries - during the four-day festival.

Thirty different farmhouse ciders are due to grace the bars, as well as perries and fruit wines.

On Friday night, the CAMRA West Midlands region Cider & Perry Competition will be staged, compered by BBC Hereford & Worcester's Colin Shepherd.

CAMRA has more than 60,000 members.

Entry on Thursday, from 7pm to 11pm, costs £3. Tickets for Friday cost £1 between noon and 5.30pm and £4.50 between 5.30pm and 11pm.

The festival is open from 11am to 11pm on Saturday. Entry costs £3 before 5.30pm and £4.50 afterwards. On Sunday, from noon to 3pm, tickets cost £1.

Entry prices include a souvenir glass and comprehensive programme.