WIVELISCOMBE people will this weekend raise their glasses to a 200-year-old tradition in the town.

A brewing festival is being staged at the Recreation Ground on Saturday and Sunday to commemorate the first brewery in Wiveliscombe, started in 1807.

The town's current breweries, Cotleigh Brewery and the Golden Hill Brewery, will be supplying 20 different ales between them.

Food from local caterers and live music from local bands and musicians will also be on offer.

Entertainment will be laid on for people of all ages, while voluntary groups will be on site to raise funds.

The event, supported by the rugby club and opening from noon to midnight on the two days, will be opened at noon on Saturday by William Hancock, the great, great, great, great, grandson of another William Hancock, who set up the original brewery.

Cash raised will go to the Jim Laker Fund, which has supported local groups to the tune of £15,000 over the past ten years.

The fund was set up in memory of a former director of Exmoor Ales who died 11 years ago.

*For more on the history of brewing in Wiveliscombe, see this Thursday's Somerset County gazette.