THE 10th Accrington Beer Festival starts at the Town Hall at 6.30pm tomorrow.

There will be 80 real ales from around the country, as well as bottled beers and ciders.

The event, organised by the East Lancashire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and Hyndburn Borough Council's leisure services department, runs until Saturday.

Afternoon sessions, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, are from 12pm to 3pm, and evening sessions on every day of the festival are from 6pm to 11pm, apart from Thursday when it starts at 6.30pm because of the Christmas lights switch-on.

A festive tipple

INDEPENDENT Manchester brewers JW Lees, which has a string of pubs across East Lancashire, is ensuring the Christmas festivities have an extra special flavour this year with a unique seasonal ale available throughout November and December. Crackerjack Festive Ale is brewed with a combination of malts to produce a nutty flavour, Bramling Cross hops for fruitiness and a hint of blackcurrant.