DRINKERS have been testing the water and the beer at this week's Beer in the Bath festival.

Pressed Rat and Warthog and Tomintoul Nessie are some of the unusual ales that have been sipped during this year's real ale festival in Bishop Auckland.

Kegs of beer from independent breweries around the country were brought to the town hall for people to try, with experts from the Wear Valley Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) on hand to point drinkers in the right direction.

Chris Downie, chairman of the Wear Valley group, said one of the most popular brews was proving to be the Old Elvet Winter Warmer, brewed at Cathedrals micro-brewery in Durham City.

He said: "It's a new brewery so everyone has been trying it. But the beers are from all over. We're trying to get ones nobody has had before."

The festival got off to a heady start on Wednesday when Cloud Nine performed a succession of fast-paced sketches. On Thursday, some of the North-East's finest folk musicians got together for a special Valentine concert, when fiddle player Stewart Hardy joining forces with folk duo Nebula and soloist Dave Hardy.

On Friday, North-East bands The Calm, Skeet and Juxtaposition took the stage.

People still have the chance to try Merlins Magic, Helles Belles or other drinks today. The bar will be open from 11am to 11pm - or earlier, if the beer runs out.