THE Calne Beer Festival has been cancelled this year, but organiser Malcolm Shipp promises it will return bigger and better next year.

The three-day festival was due to take place at the weekend to raise money for Hilmarton School for the second year running.

Mr Shipp, the managing director of the Keynsham-based Nursery Brewing Co and Shipping Beer, said: "It is very disappointing but with the school term starting again there was not enough time for everyone to sort things out."

But he said next year's event, which will also raise funds for the school, will be held in July.

"It will be a much bigger," he said. "We will have the whole lot with big marquees and live bands."