Hundreds of thirsty beer drinkers from all over the country are expected to descend on Ilkley for the town's first real ale festival next month.

Ale connoisseurs were disappointed last summer after bad weather and poor ticket sales caused the cancellation of a similar real ale festival.

However, organisers from Ilkley Round Table say the festival will definitely go ahead this time around with tickets selling well.

Ilkley Round Table chairman, Stewart Ross, said: "I am getting phone calls from people as far afield as Yeovil, who are wanting tickets and we have got four specific bars and 70-odd beers for people to try.

"There are still some tickets left but they have been going very quickly. It should be a great event."

Brewery staff from Copper Dragon, Old Spot, Saltaire Brewery and Daleside are set to pull hundreds of pints for thirsty customers during the festival, which will be held at the Kings Hall, Station Road on February 9 and 10.

Festival food will be available throughout the event's three sessions and the Bradford Metropolitan Concert Band will be providing entertainment on Saturday evening.

All proceeds will go to local good causes and the event will replace the Ilkley Fun Run as the Round Table's main fund raising event.

It is hoped that the beer festival will bring in about £15,000.

It is supported by Bradford Council and the Bradford branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Tickets cost £5 per person. This will include a commemorative festival pint glass, programme and a free first pint. Because of licensing rules numbers will be limited.

They are available from Bar t'at, Cunliffe Road, Ilkley, Junction Inn, Bondgate, Otley, The Narrow Boat, Victoria Street, Skipton, Coopers, Otley Road, Guisley and The Junction, Baildon Road, Baildon.

For sponsorship details contact Bill Dale on (01943) 817642. For general festival details contact Stewart Ross on (01943) 604561.