FANCY going to the Great Yarmouth Beer and Cider Festival for free - you'll work and have fun!The call is on for a dedicated team volunteers to pour the pints at the festival from May 23 to 26.

FANCY going to the Great Yarmouth Beer and Cider Festival for free - you'll work and have fun!

The call is on for a dedicated team volunteers to pour the pints at the festival from May 23 to 26.

One of the organisers, town centre manager Jonathon Newman said: “In return for pouring some pints, there is free T-shirt, free meal during each shift and the chance to taste a few of the beers - after all, you need to know what you're talking about!”

One of the brews on offer this year will be a medieval-style tipple inspired by the town's King John Charter celebration. The light-coloured coriander and orange flavoured beer is sure to go down a treat with real ale enthusiasts.

The first of 600 litres of the ale have already been bottled at the award-winning Blackfriars Brewery in Queens Road.

Blackfriars is once again organising the festival with the support of the Town Centre Partnership, Yarmouth police's Nightsafe campaign and The Mercury.

The historic Priory Centre will play host to the festival, a showcase for small independent breweries throughout Norfolk and North Suffolk. For the first time this year, a range of locally-produced ciders and perries will be on tap, adding extra zest to the occasion.

A medley of skiffle, blues, folk and rock and roll is expected to be among the musical entertainment on offer at the festival throughout the Whitsun bank holiday weekend.

The Mercury is again proudly sponsoring the festival with advance tickets available to readers at a discount through the

paper.

Sessions are: Friday, 4pm to 11pm; Saturday, 11am to 3pm and 5pm to 11pm; Sunday, noon to 4pm and 5pm to 11pm; Monday, 11am to 4pm.

Tickets are £3 on the door for lunchtime and £4 for evening sessions and £3 from The Mercury for all sessions. To make sure you get the session you want, it is advisable to book early with the special Ticket Order Form in The Mercury as tickets are already selling fast.

Anyone interested helping out at the festival should call Jonathon Newman on 01493 745828 or email johnathannewman@btconnect.com.