PREPARATIONS for Darlington's 26th annual beer and music festival will take a step forward today, when the all-important casks of ale are rolled into town.

They will be delivered to the Arts Centre, in Vane Terrace, by volunteer members of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) in time for this week's Rhythm 'n' Brews event.

About 48 British beers from independent, family and micro breweries will be lined up by the Camra men and women and nurtured until not a pint is left at the end of next weekend.

About 4,000 pints of real ale, plus traditional farmhouse ciders and classic bottled beers from Europe and the US, will be available at the festival.

The event is running for five sessions at the town's Arts Centre from Thursday evening until Saturday night and in the Market Square on Sunday from 1pm to 5.30pm.

Live music will be organised by the Darlington Arts Centre R'n'B Club.

Camra organiser Alan Holmes said: "We will have a huge choice of tasty beers, something for every tastebud - including people who think they don't like beer.

"We have scoured Britain and abroad for interesting and rare brews from the best independent brewers around. It's a tough job, but we love it."

To find out more about the festival, call (01325) 486555.