ALL the fun of the beach was brought to a busy town centre as hundreds of people took advantage of the sunshine.

Darlington-by-the-Sea proved a huge hit yesterday afternoon when the town's market place was a hive of activity.

Buckets and spades, deckchairs and suncream, were the order of the day as tonnes of sand were brought in to recreate a beach for the day.

Among those enjoying the sand were Susan Campbell and her granddaughter Rose Hutchinson, three, who spent the afternoon building sandcastles.

And the beach appeared just a day after the town’s annual traditional tea dance, where visitors to the square enjoyed live music, tea and scones throughout the day.

A summer market featuring stalls, live music and entertainment will be held around the town centre from 9am until 5pm today with children’s entertainers Dot and Zookie around from 11.30am until 3.30pm.

The series of fun days will end when bikers roar into town for the annual Motorcycle Show and Display on Sunday, August 20.

The Zombie Trikers of Durham and a life DJ will form part of the entertainment on West Row from 10am until 3pm.

For more information, visit darlington.gov.uk/darlingtonevents