A week of social activities to raise awareness of the importance of the threatened British pub kicks off this Saturday.

The series of events is being organised by the Keighley and Craven branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) as part of a national drive to tempt more people back into pubs.

Saturday will see a "Ring the Bull" competition at the Old White Bear, in Cross Hills, starting at 3pm. Each team taking part can have no more than four members and a free gallon of beer will be offered to the winners. On Monday, a social evening in Keighley will begin at the Vine pub, at 7pm. The evening is also being staged at the Friendly, the Volunteers' Arms and the Boltmakers' Arms pubs, starting at 8, 9 and 10pm respectively.

There will be a raffle in aid of Manorlands hospice at each pub. The winner will receive a free copy of the "Dale Ale" pub guide, a T-shirt and two free tickets for the 2008 Skipton Beer, Cider & Perry Festival.

Another social evening takes place in Haworth on Wednesday, beginning at the Old Sun, at 7pm, then moving on to the King's Arms, Black Bull, Fleece and Haworth Old Hall pubs.

Next Friday there will be a Belgian beer tasting session at the Brown Cow, in Keighley, starting at 8pm.

And the week closes on Saturday, February 23, with a local history quiz pub crawl in Skipton.

All the week's events are open to anyone aged 18 and over.