HITCHIN Beer and Cider Festival will go ahead as usual this year. There were concerns last year that the event, which is held annually at the Hitchin Town Hall in Brand Street, would have to be moved elsewhere following North Hertfordshire District Counci

HITCHIN Beer and Cider Festival will go ahead as usual this year.

There were concerns last year that the event, which is held annually at the Hitchin Town Hall in Brand Street, would have to be moved elsewhere following North Hertfordshire District Council's decision to put the management of the hall out to lease.

The hall's future now looks secure and festival organisers have confirmed the event will once again take place at the hall on March 14 and 15.

Around 1,400 visitors attended last year's event and between them drank 4,896 pints of British beer and 440 pints of foreign beer.

They also downed 400 pints of cider.