Mmm, Beer Festivals...

Music legend Midge Ure and comic Steve Furst are special guests of Hastings favourite Blair Mackichan at the town's Beer Festival this weekend.

Hastings Music & Beer Festival takes place in Alexandra Park, July 3-4. Organisers asked the ever-popular Blair to headline on Friday evening, and the multi-instrumentalist invited some of his musical friends to join him.

Midge Ure played a vital role in arranging Band Aid and Live Aid, and is well-remembered for his numerous hit singles with Ultravox and as a solo artist.

Steve Furst is a regular collaborator with Blair, and a familiar face both in Hastings and on national television. He will appear at Hastings Beer Festival in the guise of his showbiz alter ego Lenny Beige.

Acts apppearing on the Saturday include samba band Sambalanco, Joe's Blooze Band, Pugwash and Slam, plus an afternoon family singathon. Tickets for the weekend are available from hbmf.co.uk

Blair (Photo: Sarah Askaroff)

Tickets also went on sale today for Eastbourne Beer Festival, taking place at the Winter Gardens, October 8-10. The event will offer 100s of varieties of ales, wines, ciders and perries, plus a full programme of live music and games. To buy tickets now, and take advantage of some early-bird deals, see www.eastbournebeerfestival.co.uk