REAL ale enthusiasts downed 4,000 pints at Darlington's annual beer festival.

Organised by the local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), it ran alongside the 17th Spring Thing folk festival.

The event was held at Darlington Arts Centre from Thursday and Sunday.

Organiser Brendan Boyle said: "The last pint was pulled at a quarter to two on Sunday, so it has gone pretty well near to perfection.

"We had a great weekend, particularly on Saturday, a long weekend and a bit tiring for us, but people have really enjoyed themselves."

Polar Eclipse, a dark stout from the tiny Cheshire Beartown brewery, was named Beer of the Festival yesterday.

Mr Boyle said: "It was quite fitting for St Patrick's Day that it was an English stout that carried the day.

"The standard overall was as high as ever. We managed to keep the beers nice and cool and fresh, and every one of the 48 beers that we had listed in the programme were all available.