BEER, Victorian fun and ferrets are among the many reasons to attend this year’s OctoberFest at Milestones Museum in Basingstoke.

Tickets for the fifth Hampshire OctoberFest are now on sale and organisers are anticipating another record-breaking year.

Last year 8,000 people flocked from across the UK to visit the popular event.

Milestones Museum will once again host the three-day festival, which promises to be a celebration of Hampshire’s finest beer and food.

There will also be plenty of family activities throughout the event, which runs from Friday, October 11 to Sunday, October 13, in the museum and its grounds at Basingstoke Leisure Park.

Alongside the usual full programme of demonstrations and exhibitions, new additions for 2013 include ferret-racing, a Victorian fun fair, a children's animal farm, classic cars, steam engines, circus skills and pony rides.

More than 100 different beers, ciders and wines will be on sale and a host of bands will perform inside the marquee and on the field.

Hampshire OctoberFest 2013 will kick off on the Friday evening with a Works Night Out event, which will feature a hog roast, real ales and live music throughout the evening.

Ian Smith, director of Hampshire Museums and Galleries Trust, which is organising the event, said that following last year’s success, the opening hours will be extended.

He said: “We have already received inquiries and coach bookings. We had a record 8000 visitors over the three days of the event last year and expect even more this year. Visitors have been coming from Scotland, Bristol and the Isle of Wight.

“This year we have arranged to keep Milestones Museum, which is included in the day price, open until 7pm on the Saturday.

“This will not only help with any increase in demand but will deliver even better value.

“To make sure the Works Night Out visitors don't miss out, the Friday night will be extended to 11.30pm instead of 11pm.”

Tickets are available for individual days at varying prices and ‘rover tickets’ are available for the first time, which allow access anytime during the event from 6pm on Friday onwards.

A limited amount of tickets are available on the day but will cost a little more and people are being urged to order in advance.

For more details of prices and all attractions visit www.hampshireoctoberfest. co.uk and to buy tickets visit www.hants.gov.uk/shop.