THE North-East’s premier regatta will include a CAMRA beer festival for the first time this year.

Organisers of the Durham Regatta and the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Durham branch have announced a beer festival will open on Durham Racecourse on the night before this year’s regatta begins and continue the following evening – between the two days of rowing on the River Wear in Durham City.

Beer and cider will be served from 5pm to 11pm on June 7 and 8, while the regatta takes place all day on June 8 and 9. Entry to the beer festival costs £2 per person.

Durham Regatta chairman Nigel Van Zwanenberg said the beer festival was another reason for visitors and rowers to attend the regatta.

“We expect the CAMRA Beer Festival at Durham Regatta to be a great success with spectators and visitors – and of course with the more senior rowers, but only when they’ve finished their racing for the day,” he added.

On the Saturday, there will also be live music and food stalls.

The Durham Regatta started in 1834, to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo, making it older than its counterpart at Henley.

Peter Lawson, chairman of Durham CAMRA, said links between the regatta and traditional ales go right back to 1834 and even now the regatta officially promises free ale to any man who can prove he fought at Waterloo.

“If any happen to turn up, they might not recognise the names of the beers at this year’s CAMRA Beer Festival at Durham Regatta but they would certainly recognise the quality,” he added.

For more information, visit durham-regatta.org.uk