NEW landlords are hoping to bring the community of Highworth together over a pint of beer this weekend.

Michael Clitheroe and Pauline Gibson took over The Highworth hotel in November last year and this weekend are hoping to introduce themselves to the town by hosting what they think might be the first beer festival in the town.

The couple were hoping to host a series of events this year but put plans on the back burner because of the birth of their daughter 10 weeks ago.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend the hotel will be offering up to 60 local beers from a range of areas including Gloucester, Salisbury, Bath as well as four ciders.

Every night there will also be live music from 7pm, plus a hog roast on Saturday and a BBQ on Sunday.

The pair are hoping that the festival, which starts tomorrow at 4pm will bring the community together and be the first of many events at the hotel.

Michael said: “We are new to the community and since we have been here it has been very successful.

“We wanted to do a couple of things through the year but due to us just having a baby this has been pushed back.

“The beers will be racked and ready to go from 4pm on Friday, with live music from 7pm. We will have 19 beers on at any one time and will showcase between 50 and 60 beers throughout the weekend. They are all from the Cotswold area, with a few guest ales from further afield like Wales.

“I think essentially it puts us on the map and introduces us to people as the new landlords.

“I think more needs to be done to support the community in Highworth and through this I am hoping it will get people together and show that things are going on.

“We are not from around here but the community has been really welcoming and incredibly supportive.

“They think the building is very important to the town and I know it has had a chequered past but they are willing to support us in what we are doing here.”