REAL ale fans will be tasting beers from across the country at a popular festival this weekend.

Chester-le-Street Cricket Club, in Ropery Lane, hopes to attract 400 to 500 tipplers to its fifth annual beer event.

A VIP night is being held tonight (Thursday October 18) and tomorrow (Friday October 19) and on Saturday (October 20)the festival is open to the public.

The club has built a reputation as a haven for fans of cask ales and it regularly wins awards from the local CAMRA branch.

Club secretary Adrian Currie said today (October 18): “It is growing, it has developed year-on-year.

“We have gone from 12 products to 36 today.

“In the past we have done local beers, English beers, old , new but this festival we have targeted different beers we haven’t had before.

“We are trying to use the micro-breweries, not just locally but from down south.

“We have also put the emphasis on cider.”

Proceeds from the event will go to the British Lung Foundation.

The festival is open tomorrow (October19) and on Saturday (October 20) from noon to 11pm.

Admission costs £3 and includes a commemorative glass.