Showcasing more than 300 draught real ales and a vast array of ciders, perries and meads, the City Charter Summer Beer Festival returns to Derby today for its 40th edition.

The festival, organised by the Derby branch of CAMRA, runs from 5-9 July inside a marquee on Market Place, where visitors will be able to get a taste of some of the amazing ales the city is renowned for as well as a variety of milds, porters, stouts, bitters and lagers from Derbyshire and far beyond.

As well as the fine selection of beers there will also be live music and entertainment during every session and food stalls that complement the beer.

The festival opens from 6.30-11pm today, with tickets priced at £3. For tomorrow and Friday the festival will run from 11am to 11pm, with entry before 5.30pm just £2.

After 5.30pm tomorrow entry is £5 and £6 on Friday. On Saturday entry is £3 before 5.30pm and £6 afterwards.

On Sunday the festival is free to enter and runs from noon to 2pm. It is also free to card-carrying CAMRA members for all sessions, with OAPs free before 5.30pm and under-26s half price with proof of age.

The entertainment tonight is provided by the Derbyshire Volunteers Big Ceilieh Band and Ripley Morris Men, with the Ivan Ball Jazz Band, Shamus O Blivion and the Megadeath Morris Men and Harriet! And Steele Threads performing tomorrow.

Friday sees Brookside Jazz, The Dark Horses and Hillbilly Jukebox providing the music, while on Saturday Trent Connection, Midnight Pumpkin Trucks and Backline hit the stage.

For more details visit the Derby Summer Beer Festival website.