BEEFEATERS became beer drinkers yesterday as a week-long celebration of music and ale kicked into action.

Although the Campaign for Real Ale does not open its bar at Darlington Arts Centre until tomorrow evening, the musical side of the Rhythm 'n' Brews festival has already started.

Calico Joe were the first of this week's rhythm 'n' blues bands to play in the town's Market Square, when they performed yesterday lunchtime.

And the beefeaters, on tour with the Carl Rosa Opera Company, called into the arts centre to get a sneak preview of some of the 50 ales on sale on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The opera company is performing Iolanthe at Darlington Civic Theatre today, at 2pm and 7.30pm.

The festival, which is part of the Darlington Orange Festival, run by Darlington Borough Council, continues with lunchtime perfomances by Erik and the Vikings today, Hot Licks Cookies tomorrow, and the Blind Lemons on Friday.

For further information, either on the festival or Iolanthe, telephone (01325) 486555