HUNDREDS of revellers are expected to descend on pubs and bars in the town centre to mark St Patrick’s Day today.

The celebration of Ireland’s patron saint is set to be bigger this year as it falls on a Saturday and coincides with the Six Nations rugby match between England and Ireland.

Bushwackers, in Fleet Street, is to go all out with decorations, food and live music to make the most of what staff expect to be their busiest day of the month.

The bar, which will open earlier than normal at 10am, will be lit with green lighting, and decked with Irish flags, leprechaun balloons, and Guinness banners.

People dressed in green, white and orange morph suits will be going around town to promote the day, which will also see the rugby played on the bar’s TV screens.

Liam and Chris O’Leary, of local father-and-son band, The O’Fiddlearys, will be playing tradition Irish music, and there will also be Irish dancing by adults and children.

The kitchen will be serving up traditional Irish food, including soda bread and Irish broth, and there will also be drinks offers.

General manager Sara Quinn said: “Last year, we had an absolutely successful day and it was packed from the morning right to the end of the night.

“It was family-orientated throughout the day but we had a good mix of people in.

“This year, the band have got a good following, so I know that’s going to bring a good crowd and families should come for the Irish dancing.”

The Savoy, in Regent Street, will be running a fundraiser where people can get a free Guinness hat – normally only given to patrons for buying four pints of Guinness – providing they make a £3 donation to cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

The pub will also be showing the rugby and will be selling Irish ale over the weekend.

Manager Chris Brooks said: “It’s going to be quite a good weekend anyway. St Patrick’s is normally a big day.

“But also with the fact we have got Six Nations falling on it as well, and we have got Mothering Sunday just afterwards, we’re expecting quite a busy weekend.

“St Patrick’s Day will be fine and good-natured like it normally is.”