LONG-SERVING Northern Echo columnist Mike Amos has opened an ale festival.

The ale enthusiast pulled the first pint of the 19-day festival, which opened on Wednesday and runs until Sunday, April 1, at the Tanners Hall pub in Skinnergate, Darlington.

The event is taking place all over the UK at 800 Wetherspoon pubs, making it the world's biggest real ale festival.

All 45 ales and ten ciders, which are from around the world, are priced from £1.79 to £1.89.

During the festival two raffles will be held with alerelated prizes on offer, and an ale competition will be run to raise money for Clic Sargent, a charity for young people with cancer.

The same event is also happening at The William Stead, another Wetherspoon pub in the town.