Seventy-eight beers will be sampled during the seventh Skipton Beer Festival, which opens in the town hall on Thursday.

In the past, only the brewery bars have dispensed beer via handpump, but this time the main bar will also have 18 handpumps.

The festival, for over-18s only, is organised by the local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and its rare beer styles co-ordinator, Graham Cundall, has included several porters, stouts and barley wines.

The new Settle Brewing Company will be represented along with other local breweries, including principal sponsors Copper Dragon, Naylor’s and Timothy Taylors.

Thursday’s session, from 5pm to 10pm, has free admission to encourage residents to visit during a quieter period. It will also be open from 11am to 10pm on Friday and 11am to 8pm on Saturday when the entry fee will be £2 for non CAMRA members.