THE group set up to run the Formby Hall on behalf of the community has applied to become a limited company.

The company will be called “Formby Hall Community Trust (Atherton) Limited” and will apply for charitable status once established.

Group chairman Councillor Norman Bradbury said if the company was successful with its bid to run the Formby Hall a fund would be established to help community groups with projects to improve the life of local residents.

Cllr Bradbury will be opening the annual “Bent & Bongs Beer Bash“ on Thursday night at the Formby Hall, an event that has raised almost a third of a million pounds for charity since it was established at the venue 21 years ago.

The main sponsor of this year's beer festival is the Jolly Nailor Pub and the main beneficiaries are Childflight and North West Air Ambulance.

All the sessions at the Beer Bash feature live music, Thursday's artists are Quare Craic (traditional Irish folk band ) 6 to 11 pm; Friday, Juke Box Heroes (rock tribute band) 5 to 11 pm; Saturday: Cracked Flag (harmony, folk and fun 12 noon to 4 pm, then Spider Monkeys (blue rockers) 7 to 11 pm.