SINGING sensation Tony Hadley is swapping rehearsals for pulling pints at a Suffolk beer festival this month.

Lizzie Parry

SINGING sensation Tony Hadley is swapping rehearsals for pulling pints at a Suffolk beer festival this month.

The Spandau Ballet front man is taking time out from preparing for the reformed band's long-awaited European tour to sample the treats at the Sausage and Beer Festival at Jimmy's Farm on August 29 and 30.

The 48-year-old will be pulling pints including Hadley's Gold one of the beers created for him by Bury St Edmunds' Red Rat Craft brewery, which he part owns.

He said: “Anyone who knows me knows I am a true fan of real ale, and what goes better with beer than a Great British banger? I can't wait to come to Suffolk with my mate Jimmy Doherty, kick back, eat and drink, and have a really great time. It promises to be a great couple of days.”

Celebrity pig man Jimmy Doherty, said: “We're delighted Tony is going to be at the festival. He appreciates good beer and we might even get him to take part in this year's sausage eating competition.”

The two-day festival at the farm near Wherstead will also see an expert panel, including Saturday Kitchen chef Thane Prince, judging the Sausage Producer of the Year, while a prize will also go to the festival's Best Beer.

There will be lessons in sausage making, brewing your own beer and a competition to find the UK's fastest banger eater.

But it is not just about pigging out.

There will be live music from the Wild Ones, Daisy Mae and The Smokin Hogs, while children will be kept amused with a bouncy castle, mini 4x4 driving and face painting.

Jimmy added: “Competition is already fierce for this year's coveted prize for the fastest sausage competition, which is now an annual event.”

More than a dozen of the region's breweries will be showcasing up to 30 beers, many of them award winning.

Red Rat Craft Brewery, based near Bury St Edmunds, will be offering Flying Pig and Large Black Pig specially brewed for the farm.

The Sausage and Beer Festival will start at 11am and run until 6pm each day.

Tickets will cost �5, and free entry for the under twos. Tickets can be bought on the day or in advance by calling 01473 601770.