ORGANISERS of an annual music and beer festival are promising this year's event will be the biggest.

Darlington's Rhythm'n'Brews festival runs every September and attracts hundreds of people from around the country.

The festival is jointly run by Darlington Borough Council, Darlington R 'n' B Club and the Darlington branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

The festival has continued to grow since the first one was held 22 years ago, and this year the organisers are planning the biggest to date.

The festival will begin at the Darlington Arts Centre on September 10, with a screening of the film Elvis: That's the Way It Is.

The music side of the festival will start at the Arts Centre on September 12, and will continue throughout the week, culminating in a free concert in the Market Square on September 16. There will also be live music at several venues in the town.

Other events include a blues gospel concert at St Cuthbert's Church on September 16, and rhythm and blues music workshops at the Dolphin Centre.

If any visitors work up a thirst listening to the music, there will be a real-ale bar open during the festival, which will be in the Arts Centre and will serve 45 real ales between September 13 and September 15.

The festival will get under way on Monday, when the Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Isobel Hartley, is made the 200th member of the Darlington branch of Camra.

For more information about the festival call (01325) 486555, or call in to the Arts Centre or Darlington Civic Theatre.

For further details about music in the region, visit The Northern Echo website at www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/revolution