THE first food and beer extravaganza on the riverside meadows of Upton looks set to be a festival with a difference.

Upton Food and Beer Festival should have something for everyone with all sorts of tasty offerings sitting alongside some of the finest tipples and a packed programme of entertainment from Friday to Sunday, June 27-29.

Expect food demonstrations by top local chefs, talks and tasting sessions by industry experts, 100 stands showcasing artisan producers from the Three Counties hot food stalls serving world foods.

Food writer and restaurant critic, Charles Campion, who will be opening the event, said: ''In the Three Counties we have some of Britain's finest small food producers and that is something to celebrate.

"We also have notable brewers and cider/perry makers. FAB is a great opportunity to sample some of those unfamiliar local brews, add in grub from the food trucks and stalls and the music programme and you have all the ingredients for a day, and a night, to remember.''

Other notable foodies making appearances include wild and foraged food expert Mark Lloyd, who was formerly Head Chef from Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's River Cottage, the Cotswold Chef Rob Rees and the Great British Bake Off contestant Ali Imdad.

The beer, cider and perry festival will have 100 traditional cask ales and craft beers on offer in addition to a broad range of ciders and perries.

International beer judge and beer expert, Melissa Cole, will be giving beer tasting master classes and there will be a range of talks and tasting sessions as well as knowledgeable staff on hand to tell you the story behind your pint.

The fun doesn't end when your hunger and thirst are satisfied because a broad entertainment programme, with popular pop act Dodgy headlining the music stage on the Saturday.

They will play familiar hits like Staying Out For the Summer and Good Enough alongside tracks from their forthcoming album which is due for release in August.

On the Friday night, the headline slot will be filled by the Roving Crows, who are based in Ledbury, and their award-winning folk fusion sound that includes country and Celtic influences.

Find traditional family entertainment on the Village Green in addition to a tug of war contest, WI bake off competitions and a chilli-eating contest.

Day tickets are £10 (concessions £5) and weekend passes are £20. Under 14s go free.

For more information and tickets, go to uptonfoodandbeerfestival.co.uk