THE Beer and the Blues festival at The Fleece Inn at Bretforton is making its return this summer for the first time in 14 years.

Over the weekend of August 29 to 31 the free festival returns, the former event having run from 1983 to 2000.

This time the Beer and the Blues is a family friendly event and amongst the drink and music will be a bouncy castle, giant chess, skittles alley, penny arcade and more, plus Worcestershire Barn Owls will be visiting on Sunday, August 31.

The festival will include more than 50 beers, real ales and ciders.

Landlord of the Fleece Nigel Smith is challenging himself to source beers with a musical theme to their name.

“This festival will be a really fun one and the combination of it being free with great beers and music, means it promises to have a great atmosphere," he said. "There are loads of beers with musical names, many of which are local, so I’m getting stuck into this challenge."

Performing on Friday, August 29, will be Kent DuChaine, recognized as one of the best blues slide guitarists, accompanied by his legendary 1934 national steel guitar Ledbessie.

He is described by Blues in Britain Magazines as one of “few musicians who can captivate a room of people with nothing but a guitar and the blues.”

Amongst the Saturday line up are David Bristow and Jack Blackman, with Sunday including performances from The Delta Blues Band & David Bristow.

The full programme can be found at thefleeceinn.co.uk.

The Beer and the Blues Festival marks the start of a monthly series of Blues concerts to be held at the Fleece, adding to its thriving music programme.

Blues in the Barn will begin on Sunday, September 28, with Mark Harrison.