FOLLOWING their successful beer festival in 2012, the Lions Club of Tavistock will be staging their world war two Real Ale and Cider Festival in Tavistock Meadows over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The festival forms part of the town's celebration of the arrival in the town of the US 29th Infantry Division in 1943 prior to their deployment in Europe.

The two-day event is being organised in conjunction with the WWII Re-enactment Group South West and the town council and will include a display of military vehicles, demonstrations and living history displays which will give an idea of military life during the war.

The real ale and cider festival will be open from noon until 11pm on the Saturday and noon until 6pm on the Sunday and will feature up to 27 different casked conditioned real ales and a selection of ciders, all of which have been sourced by the Somerset-based RCH Brewery.

The Lions have chosen beers with names linked to the celebration, so visitors will have the chance to sample beers such as Spitfire from the Shepherd and Neame Brewery, Lancaster Bomber from Thwaites Brewery and Doodle Stout from Bighams Brewery.

The Lions will also be offering wine, and Sally Perkins and the Tavy Club will be selling lager and soft drinks.

On Saturday evening, there will be a 1940s-themed dance in the main marquee in the Meadows, featuring music from the Three Belles, Ricky Hunter and DJ 12 O'Clock high.

Entrance tickets for the dance can be purchased on the night but advance tickets are available from Book Stop in Tavistock at £6 and dancers are being encouraged to dress up in their glad rags and dance the night away to some wonderful '40s music.

The Lions are confident that, with all the other activities being planned in conjunction with the WWII Re-enactment Group South West and the town council, it will be a great couple of days in the town for everyone to celebrate the anniversary.