A VICTORIAN funfair to give a town a flavour of Christmases from yesteryear takes place this week.

The fair, complete with a carousel and 50-ft ferris wheel, will overlook Stockton High Street's festive decorations and Christmas tree.

Both rides are free to enjoy as part of the Stockton Sparkles Festival, which takes place before Christmas every year.

The festival will be on between 10am and 6pm from Thursday to Saturday and between 10am and 4pm on the Sunday.

Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for arts, leisure and culture, Councillor Norma Wilburn, said: “The Victorian fun fair will add to the magical atmosphere in Stockton in the run up to Christmas.

“Both the carousel and Ferris wheel are free and everyone is welcome to enjoy them and everything else going on as part of the busy Stockton Sparkles festival.

“With an abundance of street theatre, a reindeer parade, independent shops, national chains and markets there are plenty of reasons to visit Stockton Town Centre.”

On Sunday Santa and his reindeer will make their way through the town centre, starting at the Parish Church at the top of the High Street and finishing outside the town hall.

The reindeer parade will include Santa on his Christmas sleigh from 2pm.