REAL-ALE fans are working up a thirst in readiness for a summer festival which is returning to its traditional venue.

The Durham Beer Festival, organised by the local Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) branch, was one of the region's biggest when it was held in the Durham Students' Union building at Dunelm House, New Elvet.

But the event has been held at local pubs for seven years because the organisers could not get enough volunteers to help.

This year, the manpower is more forthcoming and the organisers hope the event will regain its former glory.

It will be held from Thursday to Saturday, August 28 to 30, and will be opened by Alastair Gilmour, the British Guild of Beer Writers' writer of the year in 1998 and 2000.

Camra secretary Ken Weaver said: "The event will feature 60 cask ales and, although on a smaller scale to the previous events, the 23rd Durham Beer Festival should be just as enjoyable. After a gap of seven years it is good to see the return of the event at Dunelm House."

The event will be sponsored by the Durham Brewery, which will have eight of its beers on sale, and run from 5pm to 11pm on the opening day, and from 11am to 11pm on the Friday and Saturday.