THE countdown is on to Bolton’s biggest bash.

And organisers promise this year’s Bolton Beer Festival will be bigger and better than ever before.

Now in its 19th year, the festival will run from Wednesday to Saturday in a specially constructed marquee at Bolton Rugby Club, in Avenue Street, Bolton.

The festival, in aid of Bolton Lads and Girls Club, boasts more than 200 real ales, 60 lagers and 20 ciders from around the world.

And in a first, members of the public and local businesses have been able to buy barrels and sponsorship packages online via beer-festival.co.uk.

Queues can be beaten as entrance tickets to the event can be bought online, thanks to the new website, donated by Bolton Lads & Girls Club honorary patrons, Eventura.

Managing director Chris Houghton said: “As a long-standing supporter of the beer festival, we have always supported the festival with IT for what is a great community event for an amazing cause.”

Last year, the festival fundraising team was able to donate £38,000 to BLGC.

Festival organiser Clive Nightingale said: “After a great event last year we wanted to make this year’s beer festival even bigger and better than ever and, hopefully, increase the amount raised for the club.”

For further information and to book sponsorship packages or entry tickets, log on to beer-festival.co.uk or call 01204 540116.