THE organisers of a charity beer festival were raising a glass last night, as it appeared the event could be saved, despite losing its venue.

For the past two years, Casks in the Castle has taken place inside the grounds of Auckland Castle, raising more than £10,000 for charity.

But its future was plunged into doubt last week, when organisers from the Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor Round Table, were told they would have to pay a commercial rate to hold next year's festival at the castle.

Following an article in The Northern Echo last Wednesday, the Round Table has been inundated with offers of help.

Whitworth Hall Country Park Hotel, Spennymoor Leisure Centre, Spennymoor Masonic Lodge, Sedgefield Racecourse and The Dog Inn, at Heighington, have all offered the use of their facilities.

"We have been overwhelmed by the generous response," said Round Table chairman Chris Robinson. "A decision will be made next week about the venue and date of the event.

"We are confident that the festival will continue to be a part of the town's events calendar and will evolve into something the county can be proud of."

Due to the change of venue, the event will no longer be called Casks in the Castle, and will be known as Casks Three next year.

Last year, about 4,500 pints of real ale and cider were served at the festival, which had formed part of an award-winning events programme, based at the castle.

This week, the Round Table gave more than £2,500 raised from this year's festival to good causes. Groups that benefited included Care of the Next Infant, Bishop Auckland Children's Ward, Evergreen Primary School, Auckland Hospital Radio, The Talking Newspaper and Bishop Auckland St Mary's Juniors FC.

Mr Robinson said: "The satisfaction in giving to worthy causes makes us determined to make next year's festival, Casks Three, bigger and better than this year."