Banbury's annual three-day beer festival opens on Thursday and volunteer bar staff will be pulling pints until 11pm on Saturday.

The festival, at the Territorial Army Centre on Oxford Road, will feature 68 beers, four ciders, and two perries, of varying strengths and flavours.

The drink, chosen by the North Oxfordshire Branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale who also organise the event is headed by Brewers Gold, the current champion bitter of Britain made by the Crouch Vale Brewery in Essex.

Also included is Somerset brew Old Freddy Walker which at 7.3 per cent packs a powerful punch, and Hooky Gold (4.5 per cent).

CAMRA's local chairman Jackie Parker said: "The success of this festival is due to the dedication and commitment of members of my branch and those of neighbouring branches.

"People travel long distances to the event, and it is an ideal opportunity to meet up with old friends, make new ones, and create a wider awareness of CAMRA and its aims. It is also the chance to sample an excellent range of real beers and ciders some of the best in the UK."

Banbury mayor John Brooks will open the festival at 5pm on Thursday.

Opening hours are 5pm-11pm on Thursday, and 11am-11pm on Friday and Saturday. Admission to CAMRA members is free, non-members £2.

Hooky Gold is the latest seasonal draft beer created by Hook Norton Brewery, and will be on sale in pubs throughout May and June.

It is a pale crisp ale made using Maris Otter malt and American Willamette hops.

Hooky Gold is the first Hook Norton beer to use American hops.