NETHER Abbey Hotel in North Berwick is hoping to strike a chord at its beer and gin festival... with a little help from singer Rick Astley.

The festival, which runs from today (Friday) to Sunday, is described by the organisers as “bigger and better than ever”.

A unique beer has been created for the festival by Pencaitland’s Winton Brewery. Called ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’, it is inspired by famous crooner Mr Astley.

Other Winton beers featured include a chilli and cherry sour as well as Oh Ya Bassa, a peach and raspberry sour beer.

The festival showcases 40 beers and ciders from producers such as BrewDog, 71 Brewing, Siren, Knops, Bellfield and Squawk.

Entry to the beer marquee, which opens at noon today, is free.

Today and Saturday, the Nethers is transforming its upper restaurant and music room into a gin festival.

One of the events on offer includes ‘Meet the Makers in the Music Room’, where gin lovers can sample a variety of gins during tasting sessions at 12.30pm and 5pm on both days.

Scottish distillers Fidra Gin, Old Poison Distillery, the Botanical Engineers, Pickerings Gin, Monkey 47, Edinburgh Gin, Eden Mill, Lone Wolf Gin and Panza the Dog from Pentland Hills Gin will all be in attendance.

This year, the festival is supporting the RNLI through a fundraising raffle, which features a selection of prizes including tickets to see the Australian Pink Floyd in concert in Edinburgh and a ‘gin connoisseur’ visit to Edinburgh Gin.

Tickets for the raffle are available via the hotel, Rocketeer Restaurant and during the festival.

Rhona Meikle, from North Berwick RNLI, said: “This raffle will help towards the running of the lifeboat station and our continuing work of training the volunteer crew to save lives.”

Stirling Stewart, owner of the Nether Abbey Hotel and Bar, said: “We are delighted to help the RNLI and would like to thank all of our friends and partners that donated prizes.”

Tickets (£15) to the gin festival are available at the hotel.