A POPULAR beer and cider festival is set to return to Bury.

Forever Bury Beer and Cider Festival has announced that it will once again be supporting The Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity (SuperJosh) when it returns in May.

Forever Bury, a supporters trust which formed in 2002 during a time when Bury FC found themselves in administration, is gearing up to host its 14th annual beer festival.

Dave Giffard, event organiser and chairman of Forever Bury, said: "We are delighted to announce that our chosen charity for this year’s festival will once again be The Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity. We have been proud to work with Dawn Fidler, who established the charity, and her team over the past few years and look forward to another successful event in 2019."

There will be 55 real ales and 15 ciders available to try and taste at the upcoming festival, held on May 9-11 at Bury FC Social Club in Gigg Lane.

The gin, wine and prosecco bar, which first appeared in 2018, will also return.

Over previous years, attendees, volunteers, breweries, cider producers and sponsors have helped to raise more than £162,000 which has been donated to various good causes.

Organisers are on the lookout for businesses that may want to get involved by sponsoring a beer or advertising in the festival programme.

Mr Giffard said: "Among the early sponsors are one from Florida and two from Castle Douglas, so we are hoping more local companies will get involved.

"The record amount raised at our festivals was set in 2010 at £17,547. We'd dearly love to set a new record in 2019.

"We can only do this if we get everything fully subscribed — which means 70 drinks sponsors plus some associate sponsors — so please get behind us and get involved.

"Failing that, please get the dates in your diaries and we’ll see you down there!"

To sponsor a beer or explore advertising options, visit www.fb-beerfestivals.co.uk.

Alternatively, email Mr Giffard at davegiffard@talktalk.net.