DARING motorcycle stunts, hilarious horses and a strongest man contest promise to make the final Great Aycliffe Show the best to date.

For more than 30 years, the show, at the Oakleaf Sports Complex in Newton Aycliffe, has been the biggest community event in the town calendar.

However, falling attendance, often resulting from poor weather, has prompted the organisers, Great Aycliffe Town Council, to replace it with a ten-day community festival from next year.

Keen to go out with a bang, the council has pulled out all the stops to ensure this summer’s show, on Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24, is a memorable occasion.

Highlights will include: spectacular motorcycle stunts courtesy of Jason Smyth’s Adrenaline Tour; Big and Little, a comedy horse duo; a marching pipe band; the North-East Strongest Man competition; Quercus Live, a carnival celebration of dance, music and drama; and a junior football tournament.

There will also be a handcraft and horticulture exhibition, with 118 classes covering everything from cookery, sewing and knitting, to flowers, vegetables and the closely fought pot leeks competition.

The fur and feather marquee will feature more than 300 poultry entries, 200 pigeons and lots of prize rabbits.

The show takes place from noon to 5pm both days.

For more information, contact Marie Robinson, show co-ordinator, on 01325-300700.