DALES drinkers who want to sample the wares of about 20 Yorkshire breweries at the first Wharfedale Beer Festival will have to act fast - the event has almost sold out.

Organisers are hoping to raise more than £10,000 for local community groups and good causes at the two-day festival, at Grassington Town Hall next Friday and Saturday, November 6 and 7.

Fifty real ales, all from breweries in and around the Yorkshire Dales National Park, are being showcased, and there is a wide selection of draught lagers, real ciders, gins, wines and prosecco also available.

There are only a few tickets left for the event, which is being served by special bus services from Skipton, Wharfedale villages and Ilkley.

Co-organiser Dave Eggleton, of the Upper Wharfedale Community Interest Company, which is putting on the festival, said he was not surprised that there had been such strong ticket sales.

He explained: "There is a fantastic selection of real ales on offer as well as some splendid entertainment.

"We could tell in November last year that it would really take off – sponsors were very quick to come on board too, and we are very grateful to all of them. I think they could see right from the start that this is a great community event."

The real ales are, of course, the main attraction, but the festival also features musical and sporting entertainment.

Renowned rock covers band Refried Radio are playing at the Friday evening session, while Coco and the Butterfields – rated the best unsigned act in the country a couple of years back – will play at the Saturday evening session.

On Saturday afternoon meanwhile, sports fans are in for a treat as Wharfedale’s National League One rugby union match at Rossyln Park is to be beamed live onto a big screen in the main hall at the venue.

Proceeds from the event go to junior sports development at the cricket club, Wharfedale Rugby Club and Grassington Juniors Football Club, Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Dave added: "We should be able to raise at least £10,000 but it could well be significantly more. Our main sponsors Dale Eddison estate agents came on board very quickly and they have been joined by a host of others. We are deeply grateful to them all - they have been kind enough to back an event that will help the community."

Special buses to Grassington from Ilkley, Skipton and villages throughout Upper Wharfedale can be bought on the event website, wharfedalebeerfestival.com, at £5 plus booking fees.

The remaining festival tickets can still be bought at £10 each, including food and drinks tokens, from the Narrow Boat in Skipton, the Foresters Arms and the Hub office in Grassington, the Fountaine Inn at Linton, the Falcon at Arncliffe, the Blue Bell in Kettlewell, the Buck Inn at Buckden, the Flying Duck in Ilkley, and online at the website.