A BEER festival featuring more than 40 real ales begins on Friday.

The North-East and Cumbria Beer Festival is taking place at the Washington Arts Centre until Easter Monday.

It features a range of cask ales from the finest micro-breweries in the region.

The festival has at least 14 real ales on offer at any one time, from 20 local brewers.

Martin Thompson, manager of The Courtyard Bar, said: "We have got a couple of beers from each brewer.

"We try to bring the more unusual ones in so people can have something they haven't tried before.

"There will be quite a mixed crowd because the older people go for the darker beers. The brewers are also producing lighter ales for younger people."

Home-cooked food will be served daily, from 11.30pm to 2.30pm, and there will be events in the bar including quizzes and buskers' nights.

Opening hours are Monday and Saturday from 11am to 11pm and noon to 10.30pm on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.