MUSIC, merriment and fine ales come to Linton, near Newent this weekend.

The second annual Linton Festival of Music and Ale starts today (Friday) at the Alma Inn. From today until Sunday (June 23), the pub hosts 18 beers and eight bands for three days of fun.

The event was conceived after a trip to Worcester to see a band called The Producers. After establishing that a group trip to go and see them play again would cost £600, landlord and organiser Graham Webb worked out that it would be cheaper to book them to come to the pub.

Mr Webb said he was hoping to build on the success of last year, when around 550 turned out at the peak.

"We have put our own ceiling of 770, we don't want to alarm the village!" he said.

Bands include The Action, The Harrisons, Tympanic Shock, Reconsider, the Dave Kelly Band, The Blues Call, Ode and the Bebops, Jon Benns and Jook Joint.

Ticket start from £5. For details call 01989 720355.