DOZENS of beer barrels were rolled into town this week ready for a popular annual festival of live music and real ale.

Nearly 50 casks of traditional beer, from independent, micro and family breweries across Britain, arrived at the Arts Centre in Darlington, ready for the 25th Rhythm and Brews festival starting today.

About 4,000 pints of real ale, along with farmhouse ciders and bottled beers from Europe, will be served while visitors are entertained with music staged by the centre's R'n'B club.

Organiser Peter Fenwick, of Camra, said: "We will have a huge amount of flavoursome beers, something for every tastebud - including people who think they don't like beer. The Belgian raspberry and cherry beers served from champagne bottles have to be tasted to be believed."

Four new beers will be featured at the event which runs until Saturday. For information and ticket prices call (01325) 486555.