THE city's first gin festival will be held at the Guildhall later this year.

Over 100 different types of gins will be sold at the event, with distillers offering free tasters to festivalgoers.

There will also be a series of gin-related talks at the festival, which takes place on Saturday, May 5, and Sunday, May 6.

Organiser Richard Wheatley, who manages Tonic Bar, in Foregate Street, Worcester, said: "We want to create a whole experience.

"Brands or distilleries will have stalls. People can go around the stalls and take their gin and see what they think.

"There's going to be 100 different gins on the bar. There will be entertainment in the form of live music.

"We are hoping for 2,000 people [to attend]. 1,000 people per day.

"I think it's good to show people in Worcester that we can hold big events. Worcester is on the way up."

He said the Guildhall was the perfect venue for the festival, due to its early 18th century architecture.

It was during this period that Britain experienced a 'Gin Craze', when the production of the spirit skyrocketed.

Mr Wheatley added that people can either buy a standard ticket for £15 or spend £40 on a VIP pass.

The cheaper option pays for entry, a goody bag, a festival glass and a sampling card for four gin and tonics, while the VIP ticket also comes with a private tasting session, priority entry and a special gin bag.

The festival will be split into an afternoon session, from 12.30pm to 5.30pm, and an evening session, between 6.30pm and 11.30pm.

Organisers plan to make further announcements about the annual event through their Facebook page on www.facebook.com/worcginfest/

To buy tickets visit http://bit.ly/2FIaJcA