TO meet the varied tastebuds of its customers, a traditional beer festival continues to branch out.

The Tynedale Beer and Cider Festival, which raises tens of thousands of pounds for local charities each year, has added to its line-up to keep bringing the punters in to Tynedale Rugby Club, in Corbridge.

On the back of the success of the recent acquisition of a gin bar, the three-day festival, starting on Thursday evening, will introduce a rum bar for the first time. Another new addition is glamping pods to go alongside the more traditional tents in the camping area, while there are many new food stalls on the line-up.

Organised jointly by Tynedale Rugby Club and Tynedale Lions, the festival will have a selection of 130 beers and 30 ciders on tap.

But if beer and cider are not your tipple of choice, there will be plenty of gin, rum, wine, Pimms and soft drinks on offer too.

Entertainment will be provided through live music on each day, with Saturday aimed primarily for the entire family with children’s entertainers and the like in situ.

Keeping up the tradition, a rugby sevens tournament in aid of the Stay Strong Stu charity, in memory of former Tynedale player Stu Ridley, will take place on Saturday afternoon.

Steve Hull, the rugby club’s events and marketing manager, said: “We are always trying to do something new and make sure there is something for everyone. There will be good music, good food, a family afternoon on Saturday and a spot of rugby.”

The charities to benefit from this year’s event will be Tynedale Hospice at Home, WeCan and North Tyne Youth.