THE organisers of the Helensburgh Beer and Gin Festival are putting the finishing touches to the first – and, they hope, the only – virtual version of the event this weekend.

The 2020 festival, which should have taken place on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16, was one of the first big local events to be postponed as the scale of the coronavirus pandemic began to become clear in March.

But that hasn't stopped the members of the Helensburgh and District Round Table, who have put together the increasingly popular festival every year since 2006, from doing their best to plug the gap with a series of online festival-related events.

From 2pm this Saturday, a series of videos will be streamed at the Helensburgh Beer and Gin Festival's Facebook page to get those who were looking forward to the weekend as close as possible to the festival spirit.

READ MORE: Look back at the 2019 Helensburgh Beer and Gin Festival with our exclusive photo gallery

Plans include the following:

* A live cocktail-making class with Abou Jallow of Island Slice Rum, the star of the festival's rum bar for the last two years (an ingredient list will be supplied beforehand)

* Graham Smith from the festival's organising committee with three gin cocktail making videos (ingredients also to follow)

* A set from Stairheid Rumpus, one of the many live bands who got last year's festival rocking

* A live DJ set from local group Beano Disco Mobile DJ Services

READ MORE: Check out our photo gallery from the 2018 festival

* Clips of former Round Table members in the form of a 'Grumpy Old Men' style podcast throughout the afternoon

* A quiz

* A photo competition running throughout the day

The Helensburgh festival has come a long way from humble origins in 2006, when 300-400 people attended the inaugural event at the Victoria Halls.

After several happy years at Helensburgh Sailing Club, the organisers moved the festival to a new venue last year – the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre – and were able to offer a bigger selection than ever of ales, craft lagers, Prosecco, gin and rum, along with an expanded choice of food and live music.

READ MORE: Helensburgh's beer and gin celebration set for move to a new home for 2019

A record crowd of around 2,500 people attended the 2019 event.

The festival has also raised thousands of pounds over the year for good causes in the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

Proceeds from last year's event went to Helensburgh Amateur Swimming Club, the Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank, and Helensburgh's Stand Up To Cancer family festival.

READ MORE: Catch up with all the latest news headlines from around Helensburgh and Lomond here