SANDCASTLES and deckchairs took over Stockton town centre at the weekend when a beach arrived in town.

And visitors to the town centre were able to pick up their buckets and spades and a fun afternoon.

Stockton-by-the-Sea is latest initiative by the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) and aims to bring a touch of the seaside to the area with a bit of family fun thrown into the mix.

Over the weekend, the town was packed with the sights and sounds of the Caribbean will include The Pantasy Steel Band from 11am as well as free craft workshops.

The good old British seaside will be celebrated next weekend later as the beach plays host to old fashioned fun including a memory man show, seaside crafts and music from the Swing into Summer band.

Finally, on Saturday and Sunday August 26 and 27, a bunch of pirates will dock in town for two days of fun.

BID manager Karen Hindhaugh is confident the town’s first ever pop-up beach will be a big success.

She said: “In recent years we have seen other towns and cities across the country hosting similar initiatives, and we believe it was high time Stockton had its own beach.

"We’ve put together three packed weekends of themed entertainment to celebrate everything we love about the seaside."

For further details visit stockton.gov.uk or stocktonbid.co.uk