Staff at historic East Riddlesden Hall are toasting a new attraction – a beer festival.

About 40 top tipples, produced by more than ten breweries, will be on offer during the event.

Bosses at the 17th-century National Trust property hope the festival, which runs today and Saturday in the Airedale Barn, will attract new visitors to the hall.

Emma Cunliffe, who is managing the event, said: “This is a totally new and different thing for the hall and we are very excited about it.

“It’s about community engagement and attracting a mix of local people. Real ale is very popular so holding a beer festival seemed a good way of achieving this.

“We are working on the event with the Old Bear Brewery at Stockbridge, which has sourced the locally-produced ales.”

Beers on offer will include half-a-dozen from the Old Bear Brewery itself. The firm began brewing at the Old White Bear pub in Cross Hills in 1993.

It moved to bigger premises in 2005 to increase production and expand its range of ales. And three years ago, it relocated again to its current even larger premises in Aireworth Road, less than half-a-mile from East Riddlesden Hall.

All profits from the festival will be ploughed into the hall. The event will be open from noon to 11pm both days, and food will be available.

Tickets bought in advance are £5, which includes a commemorative glass, tasting notes and two free half pints.

Tickets can be obtained from the hall shop or call 01535 607075. Entry on the day will be £6.