ORGANISERS of Bolton Beer Festival are hoping to rise a glass to yet another record-breaking windfall in October.

The event raised £37,000 last year for Bolton Lads and Girls Club and they are aiming to top £40,000 this time around.

The festival takes place at Bolton Rugby Club from Wednesday, October 15, to Saturday, October 18, when more than 200 real ales, 60 lagers and 20 ciders will be on tap.

BLGC fundraising manager Donna Fisk said: “It’s grown steadily over the years. Twenty-one years ago, when it was staged at the Howcroft, there were just a handful of beers.

“But now there are more than 200 sponsors and 900 corporate organisations attending. It’s our biggest single fundraising event in the calendar and takes at least three months to organise.”

The festival will be preceded on Saturday, October 11 by a Bavarian Night, including music from an oompah band.

And the whole event has become so popular across the North West, organisers have organised a taxi shuttle service from the Sweet Green Tavern, near Bolton railway station, to ferry drinkers to the rugby club.

More than 6,000 people visit the festival each year.

Entertainment will be provided by the Boozie Woozie Band and The Managers as well as beer festival veterans Jerome McMurray and Max and Cuban musicians, Boat Band.

The traditional tasting session by the Campaign for Real Ale, (CAMRA) will take place on the Saturday afternoon.

Organisers are appealing to individuals or organisations who would like to sponsor a barrel or glass. Details can be found at beer-festival.co.uk, or by calling the fundraising team on 01204 540116.

Other beer festivals on the agenda for fans of real ale include the Horwich Beer Festival from Thursday, September 4, to Sunday, September 6, at the RMI club in Ramsbottom Road, and the Edgworth Real Ale Festival at The Barlow from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28.