MORE than 4,000 beer lovers are expected at the Real Ale Rail Trail, which features pop-up beer bars from 23 South West breweries along the West Somerset Railway.

Brewing members of the South West region of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) are joining forces for the event from Friday, June 9 to Sunday, June 11.

Event organiser Carl Beeson, SIBA regional secretary, said: "This is the first time any heritage railway has featured an event such as this anywhere in the UK.

"Attendees purchase a ticket which includes two free halves and they can sample the beers on offer at whichever end they board the train.

"We’ll have brewers from Devon ready to pour their beers from custom ‘pop-up’ beer bars at the Minehead stop, Wiltshire and Dorset brewers at the Stogumber stop and Somerset brewers at the Bishops Lydiard stop.

"Whichever way you decide to do it there is an amazing selection of fantastic independent craft brewed beer along the way.”

The ale trail will have a real festival atmosphere, with live entertainment and street food stalls next to platforms along the route.

At Bishops Lydeard there will also be live entertainment, street food and food treats on the Friday and Saturday evenings, while there will also be food at Minehead and Stogumber over the weekend.

The event coincides with the West Somerset Railway Diesel Gala.

Tickets are available by clicking here, or phone 01643-704996 or post West Somerset Railway, The Railway Station, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5BG.

Breweries involved in the Real Ale Rail Trail: Hanlons, Exe Valley, Crossed Anchor, Summerskills, South Hams, Salcombe, Isca, Cotleigh, Exmoor, Quantock, Milk Street, Plain Ales Dawkins, Beat Ales, Windy Brewery, Brewhouse & Kitchen, Gyle 59, Flying Monk, Hop Kettle, Dark Revolution, Castle Combe, Twisted Brewing, Three Daggers.