This year’s Beer and Gin Festival in Helensburgh is set to be “bigger and better,” with more bars and space for visitors to relax.

Organisers have hired a third marquee following last year’s success which saw 2,000 people flock to sample beer, lagers and gins at Helensburgh Sailing Club.

Andrew Duncan, the festival organiser, explained: “We are taking over part of the dingy park and putting a large wedding-style marquee there.

“Normally we have two marquees and the club house at Helensburgh Sailing Club but this year we have three marquees and the club house to give people more space after it was really busy last year.”

The festival is set to take place at Helensburgh Sailing Club this Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19.

And it is expected to attract 2,500 visitors to the area to sample ales, lager and gins.

Andrew added: “There will be about 60 different ales, seven or eight different lagers, 30 ciders and 20 gins.

“There will be a lot to sample. Usually we get all our ales from Scotland but this year we are getting some from Ireland, so it will be interesting to see what they are like. We work with Gin 71 and they are providing all the gin and staff to make sure we make a perfect gin with the right garnish.”

The festival opens from 6pm on Friday and 12pm on Saturday with bars closing at 11pm. A complimentary shuttle bus service will operate throughout the day between the sailing club and Helensburgh Central to meet the train. Soundcradle will provide the entertainment on Friday evening with a variety of covers and popular tunes and on Saturday, Crowded Croft will entertain guests with folk and ceilidh music.

Andrew told the Advertiser they are hoping to raise £20,000 for local causes. He added: “We donate money to a range of things throughout the year. and that can range from support at school, to hampers and helping vulnerable people.”

To book tickets search for Helensburgh Beer and Gin Festival on Google or get them on the door.