ALE lovers will be stumped for choice when a cricket club stages its annual beer festival.

The ninth Shotley Bridge Beer and Cider Festival takes place this weekend at the village cricket club’s Spa Ground.

There will be 50 cask ales on offer during the three-day festival but, after some beers sold out last year, organisers have added a greater range of ciders.

Among the favourites will be 10 beers from the Hadrian and Border brewery, which has helped put the festival together, including two newcomers Gold Nugget and Spicy Devil.

Ciders available to sample include the popular Lily the Pink, along with Slack Alice, Ruby Tuesday and Old Rosie.

Organisers say they have added an additional bar outside of the clubhouse for this year’s festival, which is sponsored by Andrew Colling of D&A Colling, who has supported Shotley Bridge Cricket Club for the last three years in memory of his father Dennis.

Funds raised during the annual event will go towards developing junior cricket at the club.

The festival opens at 6pm on Friday, August 26 and continues from 11am to 11pm on Saturday and Sunday, with live music on the closing afternoon.

Admission is £5 for the whole weekend, which includes a commemorative glass and colour programme.