Ale lovers will be congregating in Norwich to discuss how to promote beer celebrations across the country.

Norwich is hosting the inaugural British Beer Cities' National Forum at the Georgian Town House on October 8-9.

The national event will feature representatives from 14 cities and towns which have followed in Norwich's footsteps by setting up their own beer weeks.

Guests will be able to discuss success stories from various events, share advice and build collaborations for the future beer and ale weeks.

Dawn Leeder, co-founder of Norwich City of Ale, said: 'What we are hoping to as a result of this is not only launch Britain as a beer destination through its cities, but enhance these activities for the benefit of everyone. This forum is going to be the first of many.

'It is going to shape up to be a really interesting day. Beer cities are similar because they work with pubs and breweries, but some are very different.

'We can share experiences and learn from each other. If we then work together to promote Britain as a beer nation and as our cities as beer cities, the impact could be enormous.'

She added it was 'fitting' and 'exciting' that Norwich would host the inaugural forum as it was Britain's first City of Ale in 2011.

Since then beer weeks have launched in Bristol, London, Stockport, Sheffield, Nottingham, York, Leeds, Edinburgh, Manchester, Oxford, Burnley, Cheltenham and Gloucester and Birmingham.

'There's potential to stimulate a significant amount of tourism. This is great for pubs and breweries and helps prevent the degeneration of city centres that started with out-of-town supermarkets and online shopping,' Ms Leeder added.

As part of the 2018 Norwich City of Ale week, sponsored by Norwich Business Improvement District, around 40 pubs will be taking part from May 24-June 3.

Ms Leeder said this allowed visitors and residents to explore the city.

It will be joining forces with Sheffield for the first time this year.

The forum will be held in different cities each time and this year's event has been funded by the Worshipful Company of Brewers.