FAMILIES lined the streets of a North-East town on Saturday to watch a colourful procession of Morris dancers weave their way to the town's Spring Thing festival.

The folk event - in its 20th year at the Darlington Arts Centre in Vane Terrace - featured concerts, children's entertainers, stalls and dancers from across the region.

Performers included singer John Kirkpatrick and CrossCurrent, a band of students studying traditional folk music at the University of Newcastle.

Darlington Campaign for Real Ale was also in attendance - offering 48 real ales from some of the country's best small breweries.

Organiser Tom Hughes, chairman of Darlington Folk Club, said hundreds of people attended the five-day event, which began on Wednesday.

"It was a great festival with a great atmosphere," he said. "It was so friendly - everyone came to me and said how much they enjoyed themselves. Now we are looking forward to our 21st festival next year."

Meanwhile, a Durham City landlord hopes to tickle the tastebuds of real ale enthusiasts over the Easter holiday.

Keith Draper, long-serving host at The Half Moon in New Elvet is staging a two-week beer festival from Friday to Sunday, April 2.

Ten cask ales will be on offer, including Hog's Back Easter Teaser, Wye Valley's Owd Sarah the Hare and Gale's Frolic Bitter.

The pub's regular beers, Bass and Timothy Taylor, will also be available.

The Durham Brewery is again creating a special brew for the event called White Moon.

"It is the second year we have held a beer festival.

"Last year, I did it for a month, but this year I'm doing one in the Spring for a fortnight and also having one in the autumn for a fortnight.

"It went brilliantly well last year. It was very popular and we were sold out on a regular basis and had to send out for more supplies. I'm hoping this year will be the same.''

Admission is free and the festival will run during the pub's usual opening hours. For further details, call 0191-383 6981.