A RECORD-breaking crowd which flocked to a park event helped to raise £1,200 for charity.

About 3,000 people of all ages gathered at South Park bandstand in Darlington for the annual Proms in the Park event last month.

The event formed part of Darlington's celebrations to mark Reserves Day, which took place on June 27, and Armed Forces Day on June 30.

Crowds brought along picnics and flags as they enjoyed an afternoon of free music and entertainment, which this year celebrated the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One and the centenary of the Royal Air Force.

People flocked to the park celebration armed with deckchairs to sit under a scorching summer sun to hear bands and choirs bring music to the park.

The event included music from The Royal Signals (Northern) Band, 102 Battalion Reme Pipes & Drums and Central & East Yorks Wing ATC Sector 1 Band with guest vocalist John Haigh.

There were also performances from Mowden Junior School and Reid Street Primary School, representing Darlington Eurovision Junior Schools Choir, who sang songs from the show Oliver and a ‘Last Night Party’ Colours and Standards ceremony.

The event was sponsored by The Northern Military Music Group, Modus Seabed Intervention and Darlington Borough Council and a collection during the concert raised a total of £1,220.95 for ABF, The Soldiers’ Charity.

Jake Tompkins, Managing Director at Modus Seabed Intervention, said: “We were delighted to once again sponsor this fantastic Darlington event and to continue to support the important work of the ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.

"The music and entertainment were the best yet and it looked like record numbers attended, helped along by the beautiful weather.

"As always, we would like to thank the hard work of everyone involved in putting the celebration together and we look forward to doing it all again next year.”

Lt Colonel Barnbrook added: “The combination of fantastic performances and great weather made this the most successful Proms in the Park yet – raising a phenomenal £1,200-plus for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.

"We are extremely grateful to all those who made this amazing event possible.”