A PUB in Rainhill is holding a free rock music festival over an August weekend.

The Manor Farm pub, in Mill Lane, will host bands and DJs indoors and in its gardens from Friday to Sunday, August 19 to 21.

The event, which will be raising money for charities Sam's Diamonds and Slow Down for Bobby, was first held last year, with around 250 people attending at the busiest times.

Landlady Sarah Shaw said: "We hope this festival is just as popular as the last.

"We've hired the back of a lorry where the bands will play outside.

"There will be lots there to keep children happy, as well as adults, so there should be something for everyone. Hopefully it will be a good community event and raise some money for two worthy causes through donations."

There is an optional festival themed fancy dress competition, with a best dressed man and woman winning a bottle of champagne each day.

Sarah said: "We will have inflatable slides and trampolines for the little ones, facepainting, arts and crafts and so on. There's going to be an authentic American barbecue and some stalls too.

"Fancy dress winners will be announced at 5pm each day."

Headliners on Friday are rock act Roulette, on Saturday instrumental group The Brent Hutchinson Band and on Sunday pop and rock band Shark Sandwich.

The festival is open from 4pm to 1am on Friday, noon to 1am on Saturday and noon to midnight on Sunday.