TOWNSPEOPLE who enjoyed a traditional annual fair packed with activities at the weekend are already looking forward to next year’s event.

Hundreds turned out for activities and family entertainment at the medieval fair in Sedgefield, County Durham, on Saturday.

The event opened with a children’s parade led by flower queen Ellen Gowland, eight, and attendants Kate Willis, Jessica Hill and Nina Shipley, in a horse-drawn carriage.

Residents and visitors enjoyed attractions including dancing, a funfair, stalls, living history and falconry displays on the village green and in Ceddesfeld Hall.

Two of the biggest crowdpullers were tug-of-war competitions for all ages and a fancy dress contest.

The tug-of-war between the village’s pub teams was won by a team from the Black Lion, while youngster Joshua Tinkler won the fancy dress prize for his spaceman costume.

Wendy Gill, chairwoman of the organising committee, said: “The opening parade was lovely; the flower queen and attendants thought the horse-drawn carriage was wonderful. All the other attractions went ahead as planned and proved popular.

“We only had two short, sharp showers, which did not cause any real problems. For the main elements it was bright and sunny.

“We thought we would have to move the country dancing inside the parish hall, but it managed to go ahead on the green.”

Sedgefield Community Association is already turning its attention to the 40th medieval fair, next year.

Mrs Gill said: “The association has Proms in the Park in June and a beer festival in July, so we usually wait a few months to organise the next medieval fair.

“But we will also be starting to plan next year’s fair, which will be on May 16, much earlier than usual because we want it to be special for the 40th anniversary.

“The day will already be pretty packed, with all the normal attractions, but we are looking to make more of a spectacle.”