Music, ale and dog lovers are in for a treat this weekend as the annual ExFest returns to Cheltenham.

The festival, held at The Exmouth Arms on Bath Road in Cheltenham, has revealed a packed music line up, and will also feature a search for Cheltenham’s top dogs in the hotly contested Dog Show in association with Vets on the Park.

The festival fun kicks off on Friday 7th June with Union of Strings from 9pm until 11pm.

Saturday sees eight live music acts lined up to keep Bath Road rocking, with Arron Sans at 1pm, Josh McDonnell (Laggy Strides) at 2pm, The Shaggy Dog Raconteurs at 3pm, The Rockarolas at 4pm, Timeless at 5pm, The Bridge from 6pm until 8pm, Velvet Love & the Memphis One from 8pm and Kickback closing the show from 9pm.

Steve Hine, General Manager at The Exmouth Arms, said, “ExFest is the perfect way to kick start the summer months spending time with friends and family in our fantastic beer garden, listening to great music, sipping on great ale and cider while raising vital funds for our local hospice at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court.

“We’re proud supporters of the hospice and we’re thrilled that over the past three years we have been able to raise money for local families needing the hospice’s expert and compassionate care.

“We are always bowled over with the support we receive from local musicians and bands and of course from the many customers that join us rain or shine to make the ExFest such a brilliant event.”

Sunday is a day for all the family, including your four-legged furry friends, with the much-loved annual Dog Show sponsored by Vets on the Park taking place from 1pm until 3pm.

This year the search is on for Cheltenham’s Best Pup (12 months and under), Golden Oldie (10 years plus), Loveliest Lady, Fabulous Fella, The Entertainer (best fancy dress, best trick or best paw shaker), Best Six Legs, Junior Handler and the Waggiest Tail.

There’s face painting from Cheltenham Face Painting and entertainment for the kids and young at heart with the ever-popular Music Man between 3pm and 4pm too.

The live music continues into the evening with Lewis Leighton from 4pm until 6pm followed by the Three Disagrees string band 6pm until 8pm.

Beth Davis, Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, said: “ExFest is a great weekend for all the family raising vital funds for local families needing our care. “We’re hugely grateful to the team at The Exmouth Arms for their continued support, helping us be there when it matters.

“Best of luck to all four-legged friends entering this year’s Dog Show too – may the best pups win!”

For more information on the ExFest line up visit www.theexmouth.co.uk

For more information on Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice visit www.sueyrder.org