THE Old Town Beer and Cider Festival is returning for its fifth year and this time it's bigger and better than ever before.

The festival will be a two-day event for the first time, with an evening session from 6pm to 10pm today (Friday) before the main event tomorrow (Saturday).

Sam Bullas of the Swindon Wildcats will be at the official opening just before noon on Saturday May 6 to sign autographs and sample a 'Wild Cat' beer.

Revellers will get to sample a fine selection of brews in the church in Christ Church.

Festival organiser Chris Smith said: “This is the first time that we have introduced an extra day and expect to nearly double the amount of attendees to 1,200 this year.

"We've doubled the amount of beer and cider at the festival to make more money for the charity."

This year's festival will be supporting Phoenix Enterprises, an independent social enterprise whose commercial activities support training and employment opportunities for people in the Swindon area with mental health issues, and the Rotary club of Swindon Old Town, who will be at the church selling ducks for their famous duck race which is happening later in the month.

Food will be provided by Wilsons butchers on the Saturday. They will be serving handmade pies until around 4pm, then burgers and hot dogs until around 8pm.

The remaining tickets for the Saturday day and evening sessions will be available from Christ Church between 6-10pm on May 5 and from 9am onwards on May 6. The day ticket is for the full event from midday to 10pm and the evening ticket will allow entry from 6pm to 10pm.

Tickets for the Friday evening and Saturday day tickets cost £10 each and come with a beer glass, a programme and £3 of drinks tokens. Tickets for the Saturday evening session cost £5 and come with a beer glass and a programme.