THE annual Rhythm and Brews festival begins this week, and will be visited by a delegation from Belgium.

A team of 23 real ale lovers from the Belgium equivalent of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), known as the Heikantse Bierliefhebbers (HBL) - the beer lovers of Heikant - will be sampling some of the ales on offer.

The festival, held at the Darlington Arts Centre, is being organised by Darlington Camra and the arts centre's R'n'B club.

Brendan Boyle, of Darlington Camra, said: "Members of Darlington Camra and HBL have developed increasingly strong links since some of us came across one another in 1990 - in a pub, in Bavaria.

"A handful of members have made visits to each other's beer festivals on a number of occasions, but for such a large group to come to Darlington this year is a first. We feel both flattered and honoured."

The chairman of HBL, Fons Minne, said: "We are coming as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of HBL, to taste the very different delights of cask-conditioned British real ales, with our friends in Darlington."

The festival, which begins on Thursday and ends on Sunday, also marks the 25th anniversary of Darlington Camra.

There will be 50 cask real ales, plus farmhouse ciders, classic imported bottled beers and lagers and commemorative glasses.

Live bands including The Revolutionaires, the Ray Stubbs R'n'B Allstars, Copperhead Still and The Roach Twins Band will be playing at the arts centre between Thursday and Saturday.

On Sunday, from 1pm, the festival switches to Darlington Market Place and surrounding pubs, for free live music.

For more information, and ticket prices, call the arts centre box office on 01325-486555.