BEER lovers will be raising their tankards to welcome the inaugural Oxford Beer Week.

A group of brewers from in and around the county have decided it was time for the city to have its very own celebration of the beers and ales on its doorstep.

Russ Taylor, owner and brewer of XT Brewery in Thame, said he hoped the event, beginning on Monday, May 1, would be the start of an annual tradition.

He said: "There are a lot of beer weeks in other cities, like Bristol and London.

"And a few of us at the Alliance of Oxford Brewers were thinking that Oxford is a lovely little city to host a beer week.

"So this year is really a test run to see what does and does not work.

"We are really hoping this will be the start of an annual event."

Popular watering hole, The Perch, in Binsey will be on hand to help launch the week-long event on the bank holiday.

Mr Taylor added: "It really is about supporting and showing off what fantastic local breweries Oxfordshire has.

"We've got quite a few pubs involved in the city, where some will have our beers on sale and others will host 'meet the brewer events'.

"Breweries, including ours, will be open for people to come down and have a look and see how we do things."

New kids on the brewing block the Tap Social Movement at Curtis Industrial Estate in North Hinksey, said they are looking forward to getting involved with the week.

Tess Taylor, one of the brewery's founders, said: "We are planning to have a brewing party here on May 2, like an open day.

"During the week we will be in a few different bars and pubs and we will have a meet the brewers event.

"We will have eight beers available for the week and there will be to be two brand new ones for everyone to try.

"It is great, we are really excited about it."

The 25-year-old said that since starting the brewery a few months ago, they had been surprised by how supportive the industry is.

She added: "So we are looking forward to not only showing what we do but also supporting other breweries in the county.

"It is very much a team-like mentality and everyone is always there to offer you support and advice.

"We really hope this is something that takes off and we will be able to be involved in years to come."

For more information about the different events from Monday, May 1 to Saturday, May 6 visit: oxfordbrewers.org/oxbeerwk.html