THE popular three-day Bent and Bongs Beer Bash will be held at Atherton's Formby Hall, which started on Thursday.

The 14th beer festival is organised by Atherton and Tyldesley Round Table.

More than £100,000 has been raised for local charities by the event so far.

Last year's festival attracted more than 2,400 visitors who sampled more than 140 different brews. The opening times and admission prices are: Thursday, 6pm-11pm, £3.50; Friday, 6pm-11pm, £4.50; Saturday, 12pm-4pm, £3, and 7pm-11pm, £3.50.

Francis House Children's Hospice will also be present at the Festival again this year selling teddy bears and other gifts to raise funds to help keep the doors open.