GIN-LOVERS in mid Cheshire will have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of gins from across the UK and beyond during a 17-day festival starting today, Friday.

Kicking off on Valentine’s Day at The Queens Arms in Winsford and The Penny Black in Northwich, the gin festival runs from Friday, February 14 to Sunday, March 1.

The JD Wetherspoon pubs in Dene Drive and Witton Street will be serving up to 14 gins from England, Scotland, Wales, Republic of Ireland and Italy.

As well as gin-based liqueurs and a distilled non-alcoholic, there will be flavours including ginger and cinnamon, fresh strawberry, grapefruit, rhubarb, marmalade, watermelon, berries and orange blossom on offer.

Among the UK gins are Aber Falls Gingerbread Gin Liqueur, Didsbury Gin Strawberry and Sicillian Lemon, Slingsby Marmalade Gin, Whitley Neill Blackberry Gin and Hawthorn's London Dry Gin.

The overseas gins are Malfy Gin Rosa (Italy) and Mor Irish Gin (Republic of Ireland).

And for customers who wish to enjoy a drink without alcohol, the pub is serving Caleño Juniper and Inca Berry.

Queens Arms manager Robert Kristensen said: "We have sourced an excellent range of gins, a number of which have not previously been available in the pub.

"We are confident that our customers will enjoy the different gins which each have their own unique appeal."

The gins will range in price from £2.85 to £3.35 for a single measure, and include a free mixer. Tasting notes on all of the gins will be available in the pub, with its regular range of gins also on offer.