A SPECIAL brew of unusual beers and live music will make an appearance for the Beers of Northumbria festival.

The second Wear Valley Camra Beer Festival starts on Wednesday, July 26, with ales from small independent breweries within the historic boundaries of Northumbria as its central theme.

Crook's Darwin Brewery is concocting a festival special brew for the occasion, based on a traditional local beer.

Beer stalls will be open from 6pm to 11pm from Wednesday and Thursday, and 11am to 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

Every musical taste, from folk to jazz or country and western will be catered for in the line up at Bishop Auckland Town Hall.

Wednesday July 26 is folk night, Thursday jazz night and on Friday bands Locass, Citizen Kane and People Soup will be playing.

Events will be rounded off on Saturday with a wild west night, with line dancing and themed food.

There will also be a farmers' market and craft fair at the town hall on July 28