ALE lovers are in for a boozy treat this week as Swindon and North Wiltshire Camra holds its famed beer extravaganza.

The 31st Great Swindon Beer Festival, which will take place at the Steam Museum from Thursday to Saturday, will see more than 100 ales and 35 ciders on offer to thirsty punters.

Last year 2,200 people attended the event, which has been running since 1976.

Organiser John Stooke, who lives in Haydon Wick, said: “The festival has become a permanent fixture in the local calendar, and this year we are supporting the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

“As the pedestrian tunnel under the railway will be kept open until midnight, you can very easily walk to the festival – so there’s no excuse not to come along.”

Thursday, Friday daytime and Saturday daytime sessions are pay on the door, but for Friday evening people will need to pick up a ticket from either the Glue Pot, the Beehive or the Hop Inn in Devizes Road.

John said: “These pubs get no commission on sales but rather hope you might stay on to sample some of their splendid real ales.”

Commenting on just some of the things on offer during the three-day festival, John said: “There is a Mint Choc Stout from Wiltshire brewers Downton Ales and an earthy 4 per cent brew all the way from Sheffield entitled Waterloo Sunset. For those more adventurous souls, how about a 10 per cent Flip INN Hell from the Informal Brewery in Wickham?

“On the cider bar you might enjoy Bee Sting, a 7.5 per cent sweet cider from Frome in Somerset.”

Doors open at 6pm on Thursday. There are two sessions on Friday: one from 11am until 3.30pm and from 6pm until 11pm. There is one big session on Saturday from 11am until 7pm.

For more information, visit www.swindon.camra.org.uk.