A BEER festival is coming back to the region by popular demand.

All the beers at Stockton's beer festival, which has not been held for four years, will be from the North-East.

The Campaign for Real Ale-organised event will be held at the Arc from Thursday to Saturday, February 10 to 12.

It is hoped that beers not seen at a Cleveland Camra festival before, such as Wensleydale, Wylam, Copper Dragon, Anglo Dutch and Eastwood and Sanders, will be available. Some old favourites will also return including Durham, York and Roosters.

There will also be entertainment on the evening with bands The Acoustic Strawbs, The Animals and friends and Snake Davis and Jim Diamond (The Blue Shoes). Food will also be served.

Called Ale and Arty, the Camerons-backed event will have 40 different beers with other bottled beers for sale.

There will be an afternoon session and an evening session. Visitors can attend from 11am to 5.30pm each afternoon. Entry costs 50p for non-Camra card carrying members. Entry to evening entertainment, from 6.30pm to 11pm, costs £10.

Tickets are available from Arc, which is a non-smoking venue, on (01642) 525199.

Published: 14/01/2005