DATES have been confirmed for a foreshortened popular annual real ale celebration.

The 37th Durham Beer Festival takes place at its traditional setting, Dunelm House, in New Elvet, from August 31 to September 2.

Following last year’s event, which was slightly less well attended than anticipated, organisers from the Durham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), said they would consider possible changes to the format.

As a result the annual curtain-raiser, the trade event and first public session, staged on the Wednesday of festival week, has been dropped this year.

First pints will now be pulled at 12-noon, on Thursday August 31, running daily, until 10.30pm.

There is a standard £5 entry package.