THE seventh Ruskin Beer Festival will take place this weekend, with more than just real ale on the menu.

Once again, the Denton’s Green venue has joined forces with charity St Helens Autism Support to raise funds.

The charity aims to provide employment opportunities, communication aids and integration for people of St Helens diagnosed with autism.

In the past seven years, the festivals have raised £9,000 for the charity through the support of local businesses sponsoring barrels of beer.

But the festival has something for everybody. Sports fans can enjoy cricket and a tag rugby competition on Saturday afternoon, with two bands performing over the weekend.

Beware Of The Pig play on Friday and The Bathtub Gin Band perform on Saturday.

The festival will also offer gin, cider or prosecco, as well as world beers and ales.

Steven Hockenhull, owner of barrel sponsor BocBoc and treasurer of St Helens Autism Support, said: “The Ruskin Beer Festival has been a huge support to the charity, not only in raising funds, but also in raising awareness of autism to the wider St Helens community”.

Diane Palfrey, event organiser, said: “When we started a summer beer festival seven years ago we thought it would be a one-off for it to be so successful seven years down the line is an amazing testament to the businesses who’ve supported the charity and the people of St Helens who support the event.”

n For more information go to twitter.com/ruskinsthelens