IT was a busy weekend for the emergency services in Darlington.

Police, fire and ambulance services came together on Saturday and Sunday to give the public a glimpse into the working lives of officers, fire crews and medics.

The stars of popular TV show Police Interceptors were on hand to meet fans who flocked to Darlington’s fire, police and ambulance stations for their annual open weekend.

Visitors had the chance to explore police custody cells, learn about fire safety and watch a variety of demonstrations.

Despite their best efforts, even the region’s life-savers could do nothing to stop torrential rain bringing about an early finish on Saturday afternoon.

However, bright sunshine throughout Sunday ensured the popular event continued without a hitch.

Darlington Police’s duty inspector Caroline Shields said: “Our open days have gone very, very well.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for us to engage with the public, especially with small children.

“We got rained off on Saturday but soon got back into the swing of things and we’ve had a lot of people here.

“It’s key for us in engaging with the community and breaking down barriers.

“In terms of children, it’s great for us because they’ll hopefully go on to find the police approachable for the rest of their lives.”

County Durham and Darlington Fire Service said the open day had helped them raise more than £3,000 for charity.