BEER drinkers are in for a treat this week when a hugely popular festival returns.

The Bolton Beer Festival, which is now in its 24th year, is being held at the Macron Stadium from Wednesday to Saturday.

The event has become an institution in Bolton, attracting thousands of visitors every year, and organisers are expecting this to be their biggest year yet.

Clive Nightingale, festival founder, said: “It is going to be fantastic. All of the planning has gone very well and we are looking forward to a great event, hopefully with a lot of people down here enjoying themselves.

“This is our second year at the Macron and the facilities are great there, it is the ideal place for us.”

More than 200 real ales, lagers, ciders, spirits, wine and Prosecco will be on the menu at the festival, which raises money for Bolton Lads and Girls Club.

Among the selection of top local beers on offer is Scoop Ale, which was created by Bank Top Brewery to mark the 150th anniversary of The Bolton News and has been chosen as the festival brew.

Mr Nightingale said: “We are really pleased to have Scoop as our festival brew this year. We chose it because it was something unique from Bank Top and because it is a beer that people have heard about now.

“It is a very quaffable ale, so I expect a lot of people will be enjoying it this week.”

Bank Top Brewery owner Dave Sweeney added: “I have been down to the Macron already and it is quite exciting to see it all come together.

“If people want a Scoop a two this week then Bolton Beer Festival is the place to be.”

Beer fans were disappointed when a separate Oktoberfest event that had been due to be held at the Macron later this month was cancelled without explanation.

However, that event is not connected with the Bolton Beer Festival.