A MINI-BEER festival is being staged by a small microbrewery in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the Durham Christmas Festival.

Hill Island Brewery will be serving its range of beers, including a specially produced Christmas Light Ale, from Thursday to Sunday, December 5 – 8.

Pints will be poured to visitors to the workshop premises, in Fowler’s Yard, Back Silver Street, Durham, from 2 - 8pm, on Thursday December 5, between noon and 8pm on the Friday and Saturday, and from 12-noon - 5pm on the Sunday.

Further details are available from the brewery, on 07740-932584.

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS: A Christmas Craft Day takes place at St Cuthbert’s Church, in Church Lane, Shadforth, near Durham, on Saturday (November 30), from 10.30am - 2.30pm.

Admission is free and it features free craft activities, including making your own personalised Christmas cards and gifts, although there may be a small charge for materials on some stalls.

Soup and French buns will be serve, with a cake stall and a ‘big’ raffle.

FESTIVE FAIR: A Christmas Festival will be held at Framwellgate Moor Community Centre, in Front Street, Framwellgate Moor, near Durham, on Saturday (November 30), from 10am - noon. It features toy and other stalls, with refreshments available. There is no admission charge.