A POPULAR pub has been given a helping hand by the Black Sheep Brewery, as it prepares to play host to a North Yorkshire town’s first-ever beer festival.

The Feathers, on Helmsley’s market square, will host the event on Saturday, March 15, after locals suggested the idea, and all the proceeds will go to Help for Heroes.

Masham-based Black Sheep Brewery has sponsored the festival and will supply all nine of its cask ales, marking the first time that all of its casks are available at one venue.

The festival will start at 5pm with an Elvis tribute act providing the night’s entertainment. Tickets are priced at £15, which includes a variety of classic pub food.

Steven Macartney, of the Feathers, said: “The inaugural Helmsley beer festival was a fantastic idea by our loyal customers, and I would like to thank Black Sheep Brewery for their support and sponsorship of the event.

“This is the first time that something like this has come to Helmsley, and it could turn into a regular fixture as we have received a lot of interest about it.”

The brewery’s marketing director Jo Theakston said: “We are delighted to be supporting such a great initiative in this way as all the money raised will be going to such a great cause.

“It is a landmark for Black Sheep that all of our cask ales will be available at one venue.”

For more information about the beer festival, or to book tickets, contact 01439-770275.