TICKETS will shortly go on sale for the 40th annual Farnham Beerex taking place at the Maltings this April.

Hopeful ‘patrons’, as they were described by the Herald at the inaugural Beerex in 1977, are again expected to queue up from the early hours of Sunday, February 28, ahead of going on public sale between 8am and 10am.

This year’s festival - taking place from April 21 to 23 - is expected to be even more sought-after than usual, with various special events organised to celebrate its ruby anniversary.

As well as the usual carefully selected range of beers, ciders and perries, the 2016 instalment of Beerex will include some breweries that were at the inaugural 1977 event.

In addition, the first band to perform at Beerex, Peter, Paul and Mary’s Brother, will make a long-awaited return at the Thursday session to celebrate this special event.

Also returning will be other great favourites DisCover and the Gambit Jazzmen while Woking-based Charley Farley’s Sunday Four, making their first appearance at Beerex, will complete the line-up on Saturday night.

Cartoonist Bill Tidy has once again donated a specially created piece of work for the 40th festival programme.

And a special range of 40th anniversary branded clothing will also sold at the festival for the first time, all in aid of charity.

Phil Williams, of the Farnham Lions which organises the event in partnership with the Farnham Maltings and CAMRA, said: “This year’s Beerex will extend its claim to be Britain’s longest-running beer exhibition to be held at the same venue.

“Since its inception almost £800,000 has been raised and redistributed to support many local causes.

“We are hoping that this year it will beat the £38,000 record amount raised last year. £40,000 plus in the 40th year would be a great result.

“Last year was a sell out and the early indications are that demand will be high this year, especially for the Friday and Saturday sessions.”

Tickets are available for four sessions (6pm to 11pm Thursday, April 21, to Saturday, April 23, as well as 11am to 3pm on the Saturday), costing £10 including a souvenir beer glass and programme.

Any remaining tickets will be available from the Maltings’ box office after the public sale.

For more information visit the website www.farnhamlions.org.uk/farnham

beerex.html or email farn

hambxtickets@farn

hamlions.org.uk.