Rishton Conservative Club has announced plans for its second ‘Close Encounters’ beer and cider festival.

The club on Cliff Street held the inaugural event last year over two days and attracted around 300 people.

More than £500 was also raised with proceeds going to Guide Dogs UK.

Dave Lees, club secretary, said they have brought the festival back again this year ‘by popular demand’ and will now run it over three days instead of two.

He said: “Last year we had the festival on just Friday and Saturday and now we are doing it until the Sunday as we think there’s scope and demand for that.

“There will be great local beers from Lancashire and Cumbria and there will also be a couple of old favourites including the Titanic beers from Stoke which went down a storm last year.

“There will be entertainment on the Friday from The Ginjammers. They were recommended to us last year and went down really well and we are lining up aband for the Saturday.”

Dave said the money raised from this years festival will go towards their £2,500 target for Guide Dogs UK.

Once this is met, charity bosses will allow them to rename a dog and Dave said they will call it ‘Rishton’.

He said: “We had about 300 people last year and obviously if we can get the same again I will be very pleased. If we can get more then that even better. It’s all for a good cause.

“I’m really looking forward to it as I’m passionate about cask beer and I’m a CAMRA club member. It is something a bit different for Rishton and we are hoping for it to become an annual event.” It will run from June 19 to 21.