THE witches are out for a second beer festival and an ale trail as part of the Darwen Live Bank Holiday.

The Almost Famous Witch Ale Trail will kick off on May 31 with 16 real ale outlets along Blackburn Road, Darwen, taking part.

The beers have been ordered in from as far afield as the Isle of Lewis, Battersea, Plymouth and Cornwall.

Organiser Barry Tyson said: "We wouldn't want to promote all-day binge drinking so we have spread it over a weekend.

"Last year we had 12 pubs taking part so we have successfully managed to expand. About 60 people completed the trail with a drink in every pub so we will see what this year brings."

The Black Horse New and Rare Beer Festival in Redearth Road, Darwen, also runs for four days from May 31.

Participating pubs are the British Queen, Alexandra, Britannia, Crown, Victoria, Black Horse, Bowling Green, Cemetery, Golden Cup, Greenfield, The Pub, Borough, White Lion, Entwistle, Millstone the Sunnyhurst.