ORGANISERS of a charity beer festival are looking for a new venue after learning they would be charged to use the prestigious location that has attracted sell-out crowds for the past two years.

The Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor Round Table has raised more than £10,000 for local charities and community groups with its popular Casks in the Castle event at Auckland Castle.

It has formed part of an award-winning events programme, including the Bishop Auckland Motor Show, a Forties nostalgia weekend and the Wear Valley Food Festival, all based around the castle.

But next year's event, pencilled in for three days beginning Thursday, April 4, is now up in the air after the castle's board of trustees said that the organisers would have to pay to hold the event there.

Round Table chairman Chris Robinson said he had been led to believe that only three community events per year will now be allowed at the castle, with all other events requiring a "greater revenue potential".

He said: "The charity beer festival has been a key event in putting Auckland Castle on the map and we were led to believe this year that it was now a permanent fixture on their event calendar.

"It is quite sad that so many needy causes will lose out if we can not find another suitable venue. The following we have now built up restricts us to a larger venue - something the town is unfortunately lacking."

The festival has been held at the home of the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Tom Wright, since it began in 2005, and last year about 4,500 pints of real ale and cider were served.

The castle's manager, Kim Fryer, said that the Round Table had not been refused permission to hold the event, but would have to pay the commercial rate.

She said: "It was a decision taken by the board of trustees, not the castle management.

"We are aware that they give a lot to local charity, but the overall issue is, if we don't look after our future, the castle could close which would have a devastating effect on the local community."

She added that, as the castle becomes more successful, the number of charities they can support may be reviewed.

If any group or individual is able to help provide a venue for next year's event, Chris Robinson can be contacted on 07971-143844.