THE Flying Duck brew pub on Church Street in Ilkley, is set to host its first charity beer festival of the year next week to help raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The event, which starts on Wednesday, April 22, and runs until Sunday night, will showcase over 30 real ales from breweries across the UK which have received national or regional recognition at the Society of Independent Brewers Association (SIBA) blind tasting awards.

Pub manager Nick McNeice, told the Ilkley Gazette: “This will be our first beer festival of the year and following the success of similar events held at the Flying Duck in the past, we thought we would offer the public something a little bit special this time, in choosing an array of award-winning beers that will include our own Wharfedale Blonde, which is brewed at the back of the pub, and Ruby Jane, from our neighbours down the road at Ilkley Brewery.

“We hope to raise a significant amount of money for Marie Curie during the weekend. The charity and its workers do an amazing job in caring for people with a terminal illness and providing support for their loved ones, and we would encourage members of the public to pop in and add their support whilst sampling the odd pint or two from what is a smashing line up.”

Entry to the festival is free but the Flying Duck will be making a donation of 10p per pint of festival ale sold across the four days, whilst collection buckets will be on the bars should people wish to make an additional contribution with their loose change.

Marie Curie is the leading charity providing care to people with any terminal illness in their own homes or in one of its nine hospices. The charity is also a leader in research into the best ways of caring for people with a terminal illness.