DRINKERS have been celebrating the return of a three-day beer festival after an absence of four years.

Real ale enthusiasts at Stockton Beer Festival, which ended at the weekend, were also given the opportunity to sample a beer created for the event by Camerons.

The brew was called Heaven Knows because, when asked what he was going to call it, head brewer Martin Dutoy said: "Heaven knows."

It was one of the attractions at the festival, which was held at the Arc centre, in Stockton.

Music was provided each night by The Animals, Acoustic Strawbs and Jim Diamond.

The Campaign for Real Ale last held the festival in 2001, but when the Arc temporarily closed because of financial problems, the festival ended.

For its return, more than 40 cask ales were available, as well as bottled real ales.