SEVEN North-East breweries will battle for the blue riband prize at an annual beer festival next week.

This year’s Battle of the Beers, on the opening day of the 37th Durham Beer Festival, sees the competing breweries challenged to produce an ale using only English hops, with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of between 3.7 per cent and 4.5pc.

An expert tasting panel will sample the seven submitted beers, before the result is announced during the festival’s grand opening, in the Fonteyn Ballroom, at Dunelm House, New Elvet, on Thursday August 31, at 6pm.

Two city producers, Hill Island and Durham, are testing their brewing skills against regional ‘rivals’ Blackhill, George Samuel, Three Brothers, Yard of Ale and Tyne Bank breweries.

Regular festival backer Mark Anderson, of Maxim Brewery, will open the festival, to mark the tenth anniversary of its move to Rainton Bridge, Houghton-le-Spring.

The festival actually starts several hours earlier than the official opening, with first pints pulled from 12-noon on each of the three days, with last orders at 10.30pm on Saturday September 2.

It will feature 72 different hand-pulled ales, with others in reserve, 20 ciders and perries, plus a selection of prosecco, spirits and quality bottled beers.

The standard entry package will be £5.