DACHSHUND dog races are set to feature in an event its organisers say will be North Yorkshire’s answer to the world’s biggest beer-drinking festival.

Hecktoberfest will be held at White Bear Hotel, in Masham on Saturday (October 3), by sausage makers Heck, a family-run business from Bedale, and Theakston’s Brewery.

Its organisers said they said they had been inspired by Bavarian festival Octoberfest and wanted people to be able to get a taste of its atmosphere without having to travel to Germany.

Alongside food from the region, including foot-long Bratwurst sausages with a British twist and made especially for the occasion, and Stein-style beers by the Masham brewery, there will be live entertainment from noon to midnight, including an authentic Oompah band.

The event will also feature a lederhosen fancy dress contest, the Dachshund Dash, at 2pm, which will see five of the little dogs racing, and a big screen TV has been installed for rugby fans to watch World Cup matches.

For details and tickets, visit eventbrite.com