WINSFORD is preparing to host its first ever beer festival, in the hope of making it a yearly event.

Organised by the Eddisbury Constituency Labour Party, the festival will feature 20 different ales and ciders, all of which are from the local area.

During the early section of the event, which takes place at Winsford Lifestyle Centre on November 10, participators will have the chance to win one of three drinks hampers in a raffle, as well as the chance to take part in a Tombola.

Each person will also get a commemorative beer glass.

Stephen Burns, one of the event’s organisers, said: “We’re putting on the beer festival because we realised that Northwich has one, Middlewich has one, and everyone has one except Winsford.

“It’s something that the people of Winsford have never had and we think it will be good for the town to have one.”

He continued: “We want it to become a yearly event and for Winsford to have a beer festival like everyone else.”

As well as giving Winsford a boost, Stephen also hopes the event will help to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice, with all the proceeds from the tombola and raffle going straight to the charity.

Festival goers will be entertained with music from the X Factor’s Sophie Bond and Sam Lyon, as well as performances from Mark Curzon and Fairclough.

Tickets to the event are £5 in advance or £7 on the day, and are available from Winsford Lifestyle Centre.

See next week’s Guardian for the first of two beer tokens, entitling you to a free half pint of ale.