PLENTY of sun and sand made a day at school all the more enjoyable for a group of nursery children.

Donning sunhats and summer clothes, dozens of children and staff from the Kids and Co Nursery, in Darlington, enjoyed blue skies and plenty of fun as they warmed up for the Darlington-by-the-Sea event.

The annual event has been a huge success since it began in 1998, attracting thousands of visitors from across the region.

This year, the event will feature 800 bags of sand that will be shipped in to transform the town's Market Square into a beach.

To make the experience ideal for beach lovers, there will be a sand castle building competition, Punch and Judy shows and fairground rides.

The event, organised by Darlington Borough Council, will take place next Wednesday.

Performers Gary Gifted and Bell and Bullock will also be on hand to entertain the crowds.

Darlington Mayor and cabinet member for leisure, Councillor Dorothy Long, said: "Darlington-by-the-Sea has become one of the market square's most popular events. Last year over three thousand children and adults enjoyed a day on Darlington's very own beach, and we're hoping this year that even more people will come."

The event will be staged in the Market Square, from 10am until 5pm