Thousands of real ale lovers are heading for Norwich this weekend to attend Camra's national AGM and members' weekend – and city pubs hope to cash in with their own mini-beer festivals.

Many of the Camra members attending the event at St Andrews/Blackfriars' Hall arrived in the city early, with many hotels said to be full.

And the event, which runs from today to Sunday, has already broken the record for the number of pre-registered members signing up to attend, nearly 1,400, with more members likely to register on the door. The weekend is being hosted by the Norwich & Norfolk branch of Camra, whose spokesman Emma Pinder said: 'The weekend is set to truly put Norwich on the real ale, cider and perry map and will surely be a welcome boost to the Norfolk economy.

'All the Norfolk brewery and cider tours which have been arranged by us are now fully booked.

'Norwich pubs are also gearing up for an invasion of customers, arranging for extra supplies, opening longer hours and some are even putting on a mini-beer festival.'

Sally Mann, landlady at The Cottage pub in Silver Road, said: 'We are looking forward to welcoming Camra members from all over the country, particularly as it coincides with our fourth annual beer festival.'

The Murderers' beer festival started yesterday and Phil Cutter, landlord at the pub in Timberhill, said: 'We are showcasing what is best about the city's pubs and beers, and running a beer festival with beers solely brewed in Norfolk. We have also just secured two casks of Lacons 45, which will be the first casked Lacons' Brewery beer served in Norwich for 45 years.

'Our festival runs until Sunday, with over 30 different ales available.'

The celebrations fit in with the Evening News' Love your Local campaign, which aims to get people back inside pubs.

To see more stories from the Love your local campaign visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk / loveyourlocal

For more on the weekend, visit www.agmnorwich2013.org.uk