TODAY marks the beginning of a festival celebrating the best in local and international ale.

The third Great Harwood Beer festival takes place at The Royal Hotel, Station Road, in the town.

The festival is organised by Peter Booth, landlord of The Royal Hotel, who also runs his own brewery 'Red Rose Brewery'.

Peter, 40, has arranged for 43 beers from across the North-West and Cumbria to be available to real ale lovers over the weekend as well as English and Continental bottled beers.

Live music from blues to ragtime will accompany the drinking and entrance is free to all sessions.

Peter, who runs the pub with wife Janice, said: "We have always been about real ale.

"So many people just drink what's stuck in front of them but this is a great opportunity to sample many extremely good ales."

The festival runs until Monday, May 5.