Beer lovers in York and North Yorkshire are spoilt for choice over the next few weeks.

Here are four festivals to look forward to....

1) THE Marcia Inn in Bishopthorpe has its 3rd Annual Real Ale Festival this weekend. It runs from 4pm to 11pm on Friday, noon to 11pm on Saturday and noon to 10.30pm on Sunday. There will be a marquee in the garden with 18 ales and various ciders, live music each day and barbecue food.

2) THERE will be a mini beer festival as part of Dunnington Fayre on Saturday and Sunday, with various beers on a mobile bar.

3) KNARESBOROUGH Lions are holding a festival from August 14 to 16, with 17 beers. It is at Knaresborough House in the High Street, from 7pm to 11pm on the Friday, noon to 11pm on the Saturday and noon to 5pm on the Sunday.

4) THE Swan in Bishopgate Street in York, and its sister pub The Slip in nearby Clementhorpe, are holding their next festival from September 4 to 6. There will be at least 50 beers, all from different breweries, and hot food and live music.

5) FROM September 16 to 19, Knavesmire hosts York's biggest ever beer festival, organised by the Campaign for Real Ale, with hundreds of beers to choose from. Watch this space nearer the time for more details on that one.