A CITY event is in the final preparation stages ahead of its opening later today.

The Worcester Beer, Cider and Perry Festival, at Pitchcroft, is kicking off a three-day celebration later this afternoon.

Thousands are expected to enjoy the event after a three-year break caused in part by the pandemic.

Pictures, taken by Krister Halvorsen, show tables being set up in front of the racecourse's grandstand ahead of the event.

The event will begin today at 3pm today.

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For the first time, the festival will be held indoors and use all three floors of the racecourse Grandstand, with one floor dedicated to seating.

There will also be plenty of space outside for additional chairs and tables.

The festival will have 150 casks providing 60 different real ales, 80 ciders and perries, and fruit and grape wine.

There will also be a gin bar and food concessions providing Pierogi, burgers, hot dogs, chips and Epicurean street food.

Bands will perform on Thursday and Friday evenings and from 3pm on Saturday in a dedicated band tent.

To mark its 21st anniversary, the festival will support the NHS and recognise 75 years since its creation.

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The last festival was held on Pitchcroft in 2019 but did not take place in 2020 or 2021 after the popular event was cancelled due to Covid.

In 2022 the festival did not go ahead due to the Tom Jones concert on Pitchcroft.

This year organisers ran a competition to develop a logo for the event.

The winning design has appeared in all advertising, literature, and event programmes, and it will also be front and centre on the key item for the event – the souvenir glass.