REAL ale fans have flocked to central Worcester for the start of the city's four-day Beer and Cider Festival.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is hosting the event, which runs until Sunday, at Pitchcroft racecourse.

More than 100 beers, ciders and perries from across the UK are on offer in the CAMRA marquee.

"We estimate about 400 people turned up last night, which is fantastic for a Thursday and compares with about 300 people for the start of last year's festival," said Jane Thompson, one of the organisers.

CAMRA picked the racecourse location in preference to Chapter Meadows, where the 1999 festival was held, as drinkers would be closer to Foregate Street railway station and CrownGate bus terminus.