RAMSBOTTOM'S third Beer Festival is taking place this week with help from a traditional bus.

The Bombardier Bus, a double decker London routemaster is currently parked in the car park of the the Hare and Hounds, Holcombe Brook.

A bar has been installed inside the bus which is to be illuminated every evening until the festival finishes this weekend.

The bus has been designed in eyecatching red and white colours in the form of a St George's flag.

Live entertainment kicked off the launch event on Saturday in the form of Irish singing duo Paddy Wack who helped punters get into the spirit of the festival.

Pub manager Andy Grant said: "We are hoping this Festival will be our biggest yet. We have 92 beers on stream and four real ciders during the festival.

"The festival is a great excuse for people to come down and enjoy themselves while having the opportunity to try out some new beers. We will have plenty on offer and would welcome any new faces to the pub."

The pub has a series of guest ales every week designed to tempt all tastebuds.

The campaign for real ale club, CAMRA recently held a branch meeting for the first time at the pub.

And in celebration of the festival, new menus are now on offer including a variety of Lancashire favourites such as Black Puddings and Lancashire Hotpot. The festival will run until Sunday.