COLOUR, music and laughter rang freely over the Dales when a village community celebrated in its annual carnival.

Middleton-in-Teesdale’s 52nd summer extravaganza saw seven floats, a variety of piped- and juvenile jazz-bands and a range of community groups enjoying the afternoon sunshine.

Representing the variety of life in the village, they paraded through the village in fancy dress before taking part in a fair on the village green.

Carnival chairman, Shaun Andrews, 58, said: “The carnival dates back to the beginning of the century but in its present form it started in 1963. It brings the community together and gives everyone a really good day.”

The fair lasted the rest of the afternoon, boasting a chain-saw demonstration, dog show, sculpture class, craft show, coconut shy, fun golf, quad-biking, climbing wall, laser quest and fairground rides.

“We try and cater for everyone,” said Mr Andrews, who has been running the event since 2000.

He added: “The money raised goes into a carnival fund then we give it out to different groups in the village, such as Middleton-in-Teesdale primary school and the village Brownies.”