HUNDREDS of people enjoyed an annual party in the sunshine at the weekend.

More than six hours of free entertainment took place in Blackhill and Consett Park on Sunday, with the sun bringing out the crowds.

The event was organised by Derwent Valley Area Action Partnership, backed by the police.

Crowds enjoyed a full day of live music, dance and theatre groups, food and a range of activities for children, with visitor numbers swelled by a free shuttle bus service to bring families in from the town centre.

The live music stage was headlined by local band The Dust Town Dogs, along with Accidental Damage, Jazz In My Pants, Motion Tourist, 9Ts, Crime Scene, The Hourglass Theory, The Ragpickers, Runaway Samba and Funky Style Brass.

Among the acts taking to the stage was Liam Carr, Labour’s Consett-born Parliamentary candidate for the Hexham constituency who rocked the crowd with a number of Bruce Springsteen covers.

He said: "Things like this kind of event brings the community of Consett and the surrounding areas right together.

“It feels great when something like this is a success and I hope it returns next July - to top it off the weather stayed nice."

As well as the on-stage entertainment, there was face painting, balloon modelling and a roundabout for the children, while more than 20 organisations displayed information on their services in a marquee.