Organisers have been working hard to ensure that from Friday, May 16th, until Sunday, May 18th, there will be events for all the family to enjoy.

This year's event is again being run in association with Community Rail Day.

At 2 p.m. on the 16th the third annual beer festival starts at the St Mary's Centre. Run by real ale organisation CAMRA with the St Mary's Management Committee, the festival will offer more than 40 different beers from North West breweries. The beer festival will run from 2 p.m. until 11 p.m. on May 16th and 17th.

Music will be provided on the first night at the Swan and Royal, the Gavi in Whalley Road and at the New Inn.

On Saturday attention turns to Clitheroe Castle field where there will be a birds of prey demonstration, as well as an assault course and aerial ropeway provided by the Army. With traditional fairground rides and a BMX competition on the skate park.

Guided countryside tours on two buses from yesteryear will be given by Frank Watson and Simon Entwistle, starting at 10 a.m. from Clitheroe Interchange.

Visitors will also be able to visit the Platform Gallery to view a display of historical and contemporary train-inspired photos and a train station collage.

All weekend a community banner exhibition will be staged along Station Road, King Street, Market Place and York Street.

On the first full day of the festival New Form Arts is inviting people to join them at the Castle gates to help "Paint Clitheroe" and create an eight foot wide panoramic townscape. This will be followed on Sunday by "Shoot Clitheroe" with people invited to take their camera on a special digital treasure hunt.

The SheepFest, organised by the Friends of Ribble Valley Community and Entertainment group, is also part of this year's festival weekend. Creatures created by schools and local groups will be displayed on the Castle field, while shops and businesses will join in the fun with their own exhibits.

Music is being co-ordinated by the Great Days committee. A busking competition will take place on the Saturday and anyone wanting to take part needs to apply for a pitch by e-mailing John Parkinson on parkiesare@tiscali.co.uk.

As well as the Swing Commanders, who will perform on the Castle bandstand, there will be jazz at the Olive Press and Lancashire-themed entertainment at the Old Post House. Dance teams including Fiddle 'n' Feet, Stone the Crows and the Amounderness Ladies will show off their skills, while the Blackburn People's Choir and Pendleton Singers will provide vocal entertainment. There will also be music from local youth bands, as well as a hip-hop and beats night at The Grand.

A historic re-enactment in the Caste grounds on Sunday, as well as a display of American cars, a skateboard competition and performance by Clitheroe Town Band will bring a packed weekend of events to a close.

For more information about this year's festival weekend go to www.clitheroethefuture.co.uk