MORE than 10,000 people came out to celebrate the work of their local "superheroes" on Saturday.

That's as County Durham and Darlington's Police and Crime Commissioner, Ron Hogg, gathered the emergency services, charities and community groups together for a superhero-themed family fun day at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, in Shildon.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, the RNLI and Durham Police were just some of the 58 different organisations represented and many donned their favourite superhero costumes and took part in charity challenges throughout the day.

Highlights included the fire services’ crane which gave people an aerial view of the event while the different emergency vehicles sparked the imaginations of young and old alike.

Members of the Police Interceptors also stole the show and gave children the chance to sit in their high-speed cars and motorbikes which feature on the hit Channel 5 show.

Lovers of vintage vehicles were also treated to seeing a restored 1937 Wolseley police car which was brought along by 77-year-old David Bellsham after he spent four years and £20,000 restoring it to its former glory.

Inside the museum there were also activities for all with competitions and information stands from the likes of the Neighbourhood Watch and Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership.

And a fancy dress competition also caused excitement as children flocked to be judged by Mr Hogg, the Lord Lieutenant of Durham, Sue Snowdon, the High Sheriff of Durham, Caroline Peacock and Young Police, Crime and Victims' Commissioner, Libby Wright.

The winners included spider Evelyn Johnson, two, policeman Jack Vasey, six and paramedic Sophie Lloyd, seven.

Speaking about the event, which is now in its third year, Mr Hogg said: "It's about engaging with the community across the generations.

“When we first ran it we did not really know how it would really go but it has gone from strength to strength.”

Mrs Peacock said she was “absolutely blown away” by the event.

“I don’t think there can be any police force in the country that connects more with its local community.”

Mrs Snowdon echoed Mrs Peacocks sentiments and said she was especially impressed with the young people who she said were “superb ambassadors” for the county.

PC Mike Fisher, of the Police Interceptors, said he was “humbled to have my name in the same sentence as the word superhero” but said he and his colleagues were just “normal everyday working guys” and wanted to continue to build a closer relationship with the public.