REAL ales from different parts of the UK will be on tap at one of the most remote hotels in the North-East this weekend.

Building on the success of last year's first beer festival at the Langdon Beck Hotel, in Upper Teesdale, landlord Glen Matthews will be serving up more than 25 ales at this year's festival, which starts on Saturday, at 11am.

Although the beers come mainly from North-East breweries, real-ale enthusiasts will be able to sample brews from as far afield as Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Somerset.

The event, which is staged indoors at the Langdon Beck Hotel and lasts until Monday, has already attracted interest outside Teesdale.

Mr Matthews said: "We have a busload of language students from Newcastle University already booked in and there is considerable interest from other parts of the North-East."

Food will be served during the three-day festival. For more information, contact (01833) 622267.