THE Bent and Bongs Beer Bash opens at 6pm on Thursday night marking the start of what should be another cracking three-day event in the Formby Hall at Atherton.

Since 1990 the Atherton and Tyldesley Round Table event has grown in stature attracting connoisseurs of Britain's best beers from far-flung parts of the country.

This fun event with a serious aim -- to boost deserving charities which it has done to the tune of around £120,000 over the years -- is one of the red letter dates in the real ale campaigners' (CAMRA) calendar.

Proceeds from the festival, which is being staged tonight (from 6pm-11pm), Friday (5pm-11pm) and Saturday (12-4) and (7pm-11pm), will go to Francis House Children's Hospice and Atherton Scouts and Guides.

Last year the sell-out festival scooped a record £20,000 for good causes and 2004 is set for similar success as the Champion beers of Britain, past and present are served up in the civic hall.

Entry to tonight's event costs £4 including programme and commemorative glass. Tomorrow admission costs £5 and it's £3 on Saturday afternoon and £3.50 at the final session.

Event organisers Atherton and Tyldesley Round Table and CAMRA expect another busy festival and advise drinkers to arrive early to avoid disappointment.