Roll out the barrel! Colchester Beer and Cider Festival starts today and the team behind it are hoping for bumper crowds.

Barrels of fun - Mark Whybrow, Kevin Close and Nigel Mullender prepare for the festival Picture: NIGEL BROWN

The good summer weather may have been absent today, but ales like Summer Bull plus a special selection of Cornish ales should conjure up a taste of sunshine.

Opening tonight, more than 2,500 people are expected to sample the 85 different drinks. Just don't try to polish off the lot!

Published Tuesday June 1, 2004

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