A six-day beer and cider festival, the 32nd of its kind, has begun in Bury St Edmunds. 

The 32nd East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival will take place from August 21 to 26 and, for the fourth year in a row, it is being held in St Edmundsbury Cathedral. 

The six-day event has run annually since 1991 and raises money for local charities.

Punters at a previous beer festival eventPunters at a previous beer festival event (Image: Tom Soper)

According to CAMRA (Campaign For Real Ales), it raised more than £30,000 last year. 

The festival includes over 250 real ales, 60 ciders, food stalls and is set to come alive with a Sound Stage and programme of entertainment.

It is open from 4pm to 5.30pm on Wednesday to trade and members only, and then 5.30pm to 11pm for all festival-goers. 

It will then open on Thursday, August 22, and Friday, August 23, from 12pm to 11pm, and 11.30am to 11pm on Saturday, August 24. 

On Sunday it is open from 12pm to 8pm, and then Bank Holiday Monday it will open from 12pm to 6pm. 

The event started on WednesdayThe event started on Wednesday (Image: Tom Soper)

The main bar in the nave is split into sections for bitter, gold, dark and speciality beers. 

The altar bar, or Ridings Bar, features beers from the four Ridings of Yorkshire.

The main bar is in a marquee and this is divided between East Anglian and National beers.

There are also American-style beers catered to the many US patrons. 

The Cathedral before the festival opened on WednesdayThe Cathedral before the festival opened on Wednesday (Image: St Edmundsbury Cathedral)

On Wednesday, visitors will hear music from Honington Military Wives Choir and Thursday’s Band, while Thursday will see the Suffolk Slappers, Marrakesh Swing Band and Galaxy Big Band take to the stage.

Friday's entertainment will include East Suffolk Morris, Peter & Jane, Eric Sedge, DJ Scratchy – Vinyl Disco and Serena Grant, while Saturday will include Belchamp Morris, JORTS, Glenmoriston Pipe Band and Reflections of Abba. 

On Sunday, JES, Haverhill Silver Band and the St Edmundsbury Male Voice Choir will be amongst those performing, while Monday will see local artists take to the stage all day. 

Tickets are available online and weekday daytime admission, Sunday and Monday sessions is free to make the festival accessible.