A MAN who brews beer in his shed is one of many people who will descend on an ale festival in a Darwen pub this weekend.

The Black Horse Winter Beer Festival takes place from Friday to Monday..

Organiser Barry Tyson has searched long and hard for a wide range of brewers to invite them to the Redearth Road pub - including the shed- bound Northamptonshire micro-brewer. Barry said he hopes the festival will prove a hit with aficionados and newcomers alike.

He added: "I find brewers through the internet and word of mouth through Camra members. Small micro-breweries are coming from as far as Scarborough and Somerset.

"We are advertising around Darwen and are hoping to get new people as well as keen followers of beer festivals to come along."

It is the fourth festival to be held in the Black Horse. There will also be a highest score darts competition to raise funds for Derian House children's hospice. The prize is a colour TV.