A WORCESTERSHIRE brewery hopes its new beer will put a song in drinkers' hearts in time for the Three Choirs Festival.

The famous festival kicks off this Saturday in Worcester and Teme Valley Brewery, based at Knightwick, has brewed 'Gargayle', a dark copper bitter, to celebrate.

Five pence from every pint sold will be donated to the Worcester Cathedral Choir Association (WCCA).

Brewer Chris Gooch said: "The beer is named after the cathedrals' many guardians and uses three different Worcestershire grown hops — Challenger, Bramling Cross and Sovereign.

"We brewed the beer to coincide with the festival and to celebrate the three great cathedrals of Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford and the music that fills one of them. Naturally, Worcester knocks spots off the others, and will prove it again this year on their home turf.

"The brewery is proud to be a Worcestershire producer - we only use locally grown hops for the beers and we are keen to support our community however we can."

The idea for the beer was hatched by Ian Williams, a grandparent of a choir member, and Michael Bellamy, a WCCA committee member, who challenged Mr Gooch to create the beer.

Rev Michael Brierley, Canon Precentor at Worcester Cathedral, said: "I am delighted that the brewery are supporting the Cathedral Choir Association and I hope that people will come along, buy tickets to the festival and raise a glass or two."

The beer will be available at the refreshment tent on College Green throughout the festival, at Worcester CAMRA beer festival in August and at pubs all over Worcestershire.

The festival runs until August 2 and a range of events are set to take place.

The event's opening service kicks off on Saturday at 11.30am at Worcester Cathedral, followed by a reception at 12.45pm at King's School.

A production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing will be performed throughout the festival along with various suppers and concerts.

People can also enjoy a tour of Edward Elgar's home and places associated with the composer.

For more information and to view the full programme visit www.3choirs.org/worcester-2014.