A WORKING group has been set up to ensure there is plenty to do in a County Durham market town this summer.

Town councillors in Barnard Castle are keen to repeat the success of a series of community events held last year.

A highlight of the program was the visit of the Durham Streets festival which the town council has asked Visit County Durham to repeat in Barnard Castle, once proposals for this year's event are confirmed.

The council has set aside £5,500 to fund summer events and a working group was set up to organise and oversee the programme.

Events will be based at Scar Top, next to the entrance to the castle.

Coun Thom Robinson, chairman of the town council partnership committee, told a meeting last week: “People expect a certain level of service at events, such as ice creams or perhaps a bouncy castle.”

Coun Robinson was also keen that any events organised by the council complement rather than clash with those held by others, such as The Witham or The Bowes Museum.

Erica Morris, manager of The Witham, said: “The more cultural activities in the town, the better. They enhance the town as a destination.”