HUNDREDS of barrels of ale, two special guests and a huge marquee – it must be time for the much-anticipated beer festival.

The Worcester Beer, Cider and Perry Festival is making its welcome return to Pitchcroft tomorrow, after a year’s gap caused by last summer’s floods.

This year will see a special visit from James May, of BBC2’s Top Gear, and wine expert Oz Clarke, on Friday.

Bill Ottaway, festival organiser, said: “I have been talking to people ahead of the opening and there is a real buzz for the festival. We’re raring to get everything sorted out ready for tomorrow.”

He said volunteers had been working round the clock since Monday to get the beers, chillers and electricity supply installed. The marquee went up over the weekend.

Because the festival coincides with the Three Choirs Festival this year, the organisers at the Worcester branch of the Campaign for Real Ale have sourced many of the 230 beers, 120 ciders and perrys and juices from Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

With just the finishing touches now to go, the three-day festival will open to the public at 5pm tomorrow.

For full details of beers, music and food on offer visit worcesterbeerfest.org.uk.