BEER connoisseurs streamed through the doors of the King’s Hall and Winter Gardens on the first day of the annual Ilkley Beer Festival this afternoon.

Over two days more than 20,000 pints of 100 different real ales, beers and ciders, as well as Prosecco, will be available. To mark the occasion, Ilkley Brewery and Wharfedale Brewery have joined forces to produce a special ale. The unique XPA which combines solid Yorkshire backbone with plenty of hoppy goodness. Money from every pint sold will go towards the Ilkley and District Round Table charity fund.

Nick Winterbottom, this year's beer festival organiser said: "We are delighted to have the special XPA available at the Ilkley Brewery bar and the Wharfedale Brewery bar. It was possible the most popular beer last year."

Organised by Ilkley and District Round Table the beer festival runs on Friday and Saturday, February 9 and 10. Tickets for Saturday are sold out. Attracting hundreds of enthusiasts, the popular event raises over £40,000 every year for local good causes.

In the past year these funds have supported local organisations such as Ilkley Hockey Club, LS29 Special Needs Support Group and Ilkley Good Neighbours, making a real difference to the local community.