Virtual pints will be held aloft cheering the return of the The Continental’s beer festival.

Previously a twice-a-year staple of the city’s events calendar the ale and cider festival is going back to Autumnal roots.

Following the success of the summer festival the pub in South Meadow Lane, Preston, is putting on the 18th installment of its popular event.

A spokesman for the pub said: “We’re waving goodbye to Summer 2017 with the return of our most popular event, not to mention one of the most popular events on Preston’s social calendar.”

Two beer halls have more than 200 cask ales and ciders, plus keg ales, to try.

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For the non-beer lovers there’s a gin bar and prosecco on tap.

Live music takes place within the marquee and there’s The Ferret doing a smokehouse BBQ of meaty and veggie treats.

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Dates for the Autumn beer festival see it start on Thursday 5 October from 5pm to 12midnight, Friday 6 October from 12noon to 12.30am, Saturday 7 October from 12noon to 12.30am and then finishing on Sunday 8 October from 12noon to 8pm.

Friday is £3 in, Saturday and Sunday is £4 and it’s free on the Sunday – although be warned a lot of the ales have gone by then. Earlybird weekend tickets are also available for £7 and £8 without earlybird. Tickets available online via Skiddle.

Will you be going to the Conti beer festival? Been before? Let us know in the comments below