TRADERS are putting on a weekend of entertainment in a bid to woo shoppers back to Durham.

Durham City Forum hopes the sixth Durham Summer Festival, on Saturday and Sunday, will attract local people who have turned their back on the city centre.

Colin Wilkes, of the forum, said the event was aimed mainly at people who live within ten miles of the city.

He said a survey last year revealed people were put off shopping in Durham by a perceived lack of parking space.

"It is important that we increase the footfall. There is still the perception that parking is bad and the toll road bollard affects the whole of Durham, not just the road up to Palace Green and the cathedral," he said.

"We need to get the message across to encourage people to come in more and more.

"The survey highlighted that Durham had the lowest percentage of people in its area shopping locally.

"I would still maintain that, apart from on Saturdays, you will find spaces at the Walkergate and the Sands car park. On Saturdays there is the park and ride from County Hall, which costs £1 per car and can get you nearer than if you parked in the city centre."

Mr Wilkes said he hoped that over the weekend people would rediscover what the city had to offer.

There will be attractions including a craft and gift marquee, falconry displays and Anglo Saxon re-enactments on Palace Green.

In the Market Place on Saturday, there will be the usual market and on Sunday a re-enactment of a medieval market.

The Town Hall is to hold an exhibition by Eurocrafts all weekend.

In Millennium Square there will be children's entertainment, including rides, inflatables and dancing displays and a teddy bear's picnic on Sunday between 2pm and 4pm.

The festival has a sponsor for the first time, car dealer GMB Daewoo.

It takes place from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and between 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday.

The park and ride bus and Cathedral Bus run on both days.

Further details are available from the Tourist Information Centre, Millennium Square, 0191-384 3720.