The organisers of this year's Bradford Beer Festival will be urging drinkers to support their local pubs following a decline in the numbers of people using them.

A survey by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has revealed that more than a quarter of people in Yorkshire do not go to a pub. CAMRA is concerned that if these trends continue many of Britain's pubs will disappear.

Kerr Kennedy, pictured, one of the organisers of Bradford Beer Festival, said about 50 pubs in the district had closed in recent years.

This week sees CAMRA's first National Pubs Week, aimed at getting people into pubs.

Mr Kennedy said the issue would be brought to the attention of people attending the beer festival at Saltaire this weekend.

"Nearly ten per cent of Bradford pubs have closed in the last few years," he said, "Many pubs are disappearing in small communities and it is important to keep these alive. It's a case of use it or lose it.

"In Bradford there are pubs to suit everyone: the city's West End has pubs for young people, while in the outer areas of the district there are more traditional local pubs.

"There are student pubs and pubs with live music and reading groups."

About 3,000 people are expected to attend this year's Bradford Beer Festival.

Held in Victoria Hall, it will feature 110 beers and cask ales, including beers from Germany, Belgium, America and Ireland, as well as ciders and fruit wines.

Sponsored by small Yorkshire pub group Market Town Taverns, it is aimed at promoting independent breweries in the North.

"We're trying to appeal to wider tastes," said Mr Kennedy. "Members of Bradford University's new Real Ale Society will be coming along to establish links with CAMRA."

The festival runs from Thursday to Saturday.

The line-up is: Thursday, Brother Eamon and Friends (from the Melborn Hotel); Friday, blues and soul band Midnight Train; Saturday afternoon, traditional brass from Hall Royd Band and Otley Wayzgoose Morris Dancers; Saturday evening, Otley singer/songwriters the Hall Brothers.

Tickets are virtually sold out for Friday and Saturday (except Friday afternoon, which is free), but there are tickets available for Thursday. Call (01274) 735875 for details.