THE COUNTDOWN to a packed weekend of events in Darlington began with the erection of a cardboard clock tower.

Internationally renowned artist Olivier Grossetete joined members of the public to build The People’s Tower, a five-storey cardboard structure inspired by Darlington’s clock tower.

The unusual sight was created to launch the Festival of Thrift, taking place at Darlington’s Lingfield Point on Saturday and Sunday.

Mr Grossetete’s art is in keeping with the eco-friendly theme of the festival which was launched three years ago, attracting thousands of visitors since then.

It also forms part of a weekend of celebrations marking the 190th anniversary of the world’s first passenger railway.

The Stockton and Darlington Railway will be at the centre of a number of events taking place on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27.

Darlington’s railway heritage will be marked with celebrations staged across the town and further afield.

Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum will host two days of activities to mark the occasion.

Children can enjoy facepainting, Punch and Judy shows and entertainment from Mr Tumbley, Mr Pease and Mr Stephenson.

The Cockerton Prize Silver Band will perform in the museum’s forecourt while Darlington’s mayor, Cllr Tom Nutt will cut a cake at 11am on Sunday.

His appearance will be followed by a talk from The Northern Echo’s Chris Lloyd at 1pm.

The Darlington and Stockton Railway will also be the subject of the Head of the Line exhibition, being staged in Witton Park Village Hall on Sunday between 10am and 3pm.

The event will also feature a book signing session from Gerald Slack and Michael O’Neill, authors of The First Five Miles.

Railway enthusiasts have another treat in store with the return of the Tornado, the first steam engine built in the UK for more than 50 years.

The peppercorn class locomotive, built in Darlington, will be hauling the Silver Jubilee Talisman on Saturday, September 26 to mark the 25th anniversary of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.

Mark Allatt, chairman of the trust, said fans of Tornado would be able to see it in Darlington at 1.45pm, on its northbound journey from Kings Cross to Newcastle.

For more information about the events detailed above, visit festivalofthrift.co.uk and darlington.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/head-of-steam/.