CAMRA North Herts is celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend with an open invitation to a special event.

Throughout the year, the group holds social events, as well as running the annual beer and cider festival in Hitchin, and selecting the best pubs in North Herts for the Good Beer Guide.

Dean Barrett, chair of CAMRA North Herts, explained: "After CAMRA was formed in 1971, there was a branch covering all of Hertfordshire. Then, in July 1974, a new Stevenage branch was formed and quickly expanded to cover all of North Herts and took on our current name in 1975."

One of the founding committee members, Steve Barber, is still an active member of CAMRA, as a regional tasting panel coordinator.

On Saturday, members will meet in Stevenage Old Town to visit some of the real ale pubs in the High Street.

Dean said: "Join us as we celebrate where it all started, in The Red Lion, at 3pm, before taking a wander around some real ale pubs for the rest of the afternoon and early evening.

"We plan to visit at least the Broken Seal Tap Room, Dun Cow, Marquis of Lorne and Chequers Beer House.

"Please come and raise a glass to our founders and everyone who has volunteered for CAMRA locally, or enjoyed CAMRA North Herts' festivals and events for the last 50 years."