STOURBRIDGE will be welcoming fans of famous drams once again when the town hosts the fifth Midlands Whisky Festival.

The event, organised by wine merchants Nickolls and Perks and believed to be the largest of its kind outside London, will take place at Stourbridge Town Hall on Saturday March 29.

Back by popular demand - the afternoon bash is expected to attract around 400 visitors from across the country who will be able to try out a host of rare whiskies.

Nickolls and Perks marketing manager Tim Robbins said: "There'll be around 200 different whiskies. As well as Scotland, there'll be examples from Ireland, the USA, Japan and India, together with French cognac exclusive to Nickolls and Perks and award-winning gin."

The festival will also feature additional masterclasses including a whisky and chocolate pairing session with Alwynne Gwilt - founder and editor of www.misswhisky.com and Old Pulteney and Balblair brand ambassador Lukasz Dynowiak will be giving an indepth insight into how both distilleries select their whiskies.

Mr Robbins added: "Our long history means we have great relationships with distilleries going back generations, leading to special Dream Dram samples being made available to us for the festival - these are rare and expensive whiskies that are often hard to find, sometimes costing several hundred pounds a bottle."

There will also be food and live music at the event, which runs from midday to 6pm (with the last pour at 4.30pm) and which is likely to be a sell-out.

Tickets should be bought in advance online from www.whiskyfest.co.uk or www.nickollsandperks.co.uk or from the shop on the corner of Coventry Street.