FESTIVAL-GOERS planning to sample the beers at a new event on the real ale calendar this weekend are urged to make advanced booking.

Durham Amateur Rowing Club (DARC) is staging its inaugural summer beer festival at its Green Lane boathouse, from 5 to 10pm tomorrow and from 3 to 10pm, on Saturday.

Following the busy scenes at the boathouse at last weekend’s Durham Regatta, hasty preparations are being made in the club bar for the festival, which will feature more than 30 regionally-brewed beers and ciders, plus local gins, and several artisan food stalls.

Club steward John McCudden said: “We were supposed to hold it last year, but with the number of events here, it went by the wayside.

“There seems to be a lot of interest and if it all goes well it may become a regular event.”

Advance tickets cost £12, including commemorative glass, beer-tasting notes and two complimentary beers to sample, but it will rise to £15 on the day.

Due to restricted numbers, online booking is advised, via www.darc-beer-festival.uk, or by ringing 0191-386 6431.