REAL ales from across the country were on offer to beer-lovers in Darlington during a three-day festival.

The Darlington CAMRA Beer Festival, held at The Forum, showcased dozens of beers from 15 North East breweries and 15 from all parts of the the country.

Drinkers were also given the chance to mix their ale with music, with live performances from rock bands Prognosis and Deep Purple in Rock running over two nights.

The festival was previously held at the Arts Centre but moved to The Forum on Borough Road after its closure in 2012 and Pete Fenwick of Darlington CAMRA said the event is building itself back up again.

He said: “Everyone seemed to be pretty happy with it, and from what I saw and heard I’m sure it was a success.

“Normally we would have a March festival at the Arts Centre, then another in September, and that is what we are working towards; bringing it back to two per year.

“It was a real shame about the Arts Centre because people really liked being there and there was a lot more room, but people also seem to like it now (at The Forum) and it is going from strength to strength.”

This year the festival was boosted by individuals and businesses that sponsored ales and Mr Fenwick wished to thank them for their support.

He also thanked all the volunteers who helped during the festival, including a Darlington couple who are set to marry this summer after first meeting at the town’s CAMRA Beer Festival this time five-years-ago.