Malmesbury beer and bangers bash (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Malmesbury beer and bangers bash

HUNDREDS of visitors are expected to head for the Smoking Dog in Malmesbury over the Bank Holiday weekend for its annual beer and bangers extravaganza.

The High Street pub will be offering regulars a selection of 32 different cask ales and ciders, including Brains SA and Reverend James, together with Cornish Knocker and Old Speckled Hen.

A wide range of sausages will also be available courtesy of local butcher Leonard Walker, with the specially made Smoking Dog sausage sure to provide a big hit.

The event starts at 3pm on Friday, May 27, running through to midnight on Monday.

More than 1,000 people are expected over the weekend, some from as far away as Hong Kong, and the pub will have a late licence on all three nights.

Live music will be provided by local singer Ian Gould and punters will be asked to donate to manager Martin Bridge and regular Ged McNulty's parachute jump on July 7 for the charity Headway.

Martin said: "The Beer and Sausage Festival is always a great event. It's a great opportunity to give our customers the chance to sample food and drink that they otherwise might not have the chance to.

"If previous years are anything to go by, we're expecting a very busy Bank Holiday and we're really looking forward to welcoming hundreds of new customers through the doors."

The Smoking Dog is one of a series of west country pubs taken over recently by brewery SA Brain.

The company's retail director Philip Lay said: "This event is popular every year with locals and new customers alike.

"We are confident it will be a success."