DRINKERS from across the Dales will be descending on Appletreewick this weekend for a beer festival at one of the area's best-known pubs.

The annual beer festival at the Craven Arms and Cruck Barn starts today, Thursday, and is on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The event started in 2008, and again drinkers will be asked to vote for their favourite tipple - this year breweries from the West Riding are taking on their counterparts from both the North and East Ridings.

Last year's event saw Yorkshire Breweries competing with Northumberland Breweries, with Yorkshire winning - but only by a small margin.

As in previous years, the Wharfedale Packhorse community bus service is laying on pick-ups to and from Skipton and Grassington, and places in between, at £5 per passenger.

Entry to the festival is free and it is open each day from 11.30am. For more details on the festival or the Packhorse bus service, contact the Craven Arms on 01756 720270.