BUSINESSES are preparing to batten down the hatches ahead of the kick off of a centuries-old County Durham tradition.

Shrouded in secrecy, the annual Sedgefield Ball Game returns to the town this Shrove Tuesday as it has done for hundreds of years.

The community will gather in the centre at the usual time of 1pm for the ceremonial passing of the small cricket-like, leather ball through the bull ring.

Aubergine Cafe, Number 4 tea shop and Ford and Ford hairdressers are among the businesses who have their wooden boards at the ready.

Samantha Hatch, manager of Ford and Ford, said feelings towards the event were mixed -with some believing it to be a an important custom and others who see it as a nuisance.

In the latter camp is Pat Ralph, owner of Aubergine Cafe, who said it was bad for business.

“We close now because it’s not worth opening,” she added. “What we’ve had to to is give our staff one day’s holiday and there’s all the losses that we make on top.

“To me it’s just a lot of men fighting on the green, and drinking beer.”