REAL ale fans will be able to keep out of the cold when the Dudley Winter Ales Fayre opens its doors next week.

Drinkers will be able to sample more than 80 traditional real ales at the fayre, which will run at Dudley Town Hall between November 23 and 25.

A variety of cider, wine and foreign beers will also be on offer at the event, run by the Dudley and South Staffs branch of CAMRA.

The fayre, which is in its 32nd year, will feature an eclectic mix of stronger brews, session and mid-strength beers, together with new brews from local and national breweries and microbreweries.

As always, the theme of the fayre will celebrate a local hero and this year, organisers have decided to mark the life and achievements of James Whale.

The programme will feature a double page spread dedicated to the Dudley director behind silver screen classics The Bride of Frankenstein and The Invisible Man.

The fayre will be open from 5.30pm to 11pm on Thursday (November 23) and 12noon to 11pm on Friday and Saturday (November 24 and 25).

People will also be treated to a variety of live music throughout the festival.

On Friday, Jess Silk, a singer from Kingswinford and Liquid Brass, a brass and percussion ensemble from Burton upon Trent will entertain the crowds.

Bluebird Belles, a vocal harmony trio from Wolverhampton, First Sedgley Morris Men and rock 'n' roll band Dead Bandits will complete the bill on Saturday.

Admission costs £15 and includes £2 refundable glass hire and beer tokens to the value of £11 for CAMRA members or £9 for non-members.

Unused tokens can be cashed in on leaving or donated to this year's chosen charities - the borough branches of Prostate Cancer UK and The Samaritans.

For more information, visit www.dudley.camra.org.uk.