It may not even be Christmas yet but the organisers of a popular beer festival are already looking ahead to next year's event.

Dorchester Beerex will return to the Corn Exchange on Friday, February 1 and Saturday, 2, it has been announced.

For the first time in the event's 30 year history, the Dorchester Round Table will not be involved due to other commitments, as well as the extensive planning of their cider festival.

But there is good news as well as the Dorchester Beerex welcomes Casterbridge Rotary club as its new partner.

Casterbridge Rotary chairman Chris Davies said: "Casterbridge Rotary Club is delighted to join CAMRA in partnership to organise and present the 2019 Dorchester Beerex. We are confident that this successful event run for many years by Round Table and CAMRA will continue to flourish and grow in the coming years with our involvement. Personally I am also delighted to rekindle my link with this popular event having been involved in the very early days."

This year’s Beerex chairman Dave Harris added: “The Beerex committee was disappointed when Dorchester Round Table decided to end our successful partnership after 30 years. We wish them all the best with their future activities including the Cider Festival. We are however delighted to welcome Casterbridge Rotary club as our new charity partner and can assure both Sponsors and Customers alike that Beerex is going ahead and will be better than ever in 2019.”

Former Beerex chairman and Dorchester Roundtable member Rob Mathews said: “It is with sadness that after 30 years of partnership with West Dorset CAMRA we have decided to leave the running of Beerex to focus on our Cider Festival and a new event planned for next year. We are really pleased that West Dorset CAMRA has found a new partner in Casterbridge Rotary and we wish both parties all the best for the future in running of this fantastic charitable event.”

Organisers are looking for local companies to assist by sponsoring a barrel, if you can help please call 07977918130 or go to www.Beerex.co.uk for up to date information.

Tickets for the event go on sale on December 1.