LOCAL beer and local bands go hand in hand this weekend.

The Bridges Carvery, in Blackpole, Worcester, is currently hosting a four-day beer festival, featuring regional beers such as Malvern Black Pear and Black Country Bitter as well as Worcestershire bands like the George Cowley Experience.

Pete Unwin, from the group, said: "Although George, our muse, is himself a teetotaller, he has given his full blessing to our performance both at The Bridges and for the August Beer Festival at Pitchcroft.

"Our set will include a blend of original songs together with some blues/rock standards of a Bacchanalian nature such as One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer and Baptise Me In Wine."

The band is named after prolific Worcester News letter writer George Cowley.

Also performing at the festival are UXL and Soul Man Nick. Admission to the festival is free. All beers and ciders are £2 per pint.

Mike Longhorne from the Bridges wants to put his establishment on the real ale map and hopes this mix of music and beer will become an annual event.