TWO North-East towns came alive for their annual Meet weekends this Bank Holiday (May 22 to 25).

Crowds came out in their thousands for the Barnard Castle Meet where everything from a fun fair to a magical-themed parade took over the town including their very own Hogwart’s Express.

Meet organiser, Martin Bacon, said: “It’s gone absolutely brilliantly, it’s been really busy.”

Mr Bacon said more than 3,000 people had attended the town’s castle, where live music was being played as well as there being a selection of stall and activities, and that all funds would be put towards next year’s event.

“We are already looking forward to next year but we do always need more volunteers,” he said.

“I just want to say a really big thank you to everybody that’s helped and participated.”

Meanwhile, there was a double celebration for the president of the 2015 Richmond Meet – her first year as president combined with a surprise marriage proposal at a special dinner to open the weekend festivities.

Meet president Fiona Cunningham said this year’s Meet has been enormously successful with crowds of residents and visitors alike flocking to see the annual town centre parade and fair.

She said: “We never really know how many floats we will get for the parade so we were pleased to see a great turn-out this year.

“Everyone in town has got into the spirit of the weekend and many of the pubs have had live music too which has really added to the party atmosphere.”

Miss Cunningham, who accepted the proposal from boyfriend and vice-chairman of Richmond Meet Paul Hadden at the President’s Dinner at the Kings Head Hotel, has raised £250 for the Georgian Theatre Royal as her chosen charity this year.

As well as the annual parade, Richmond Meet also takes over the Friary Gardens with stalls, children’s activities and music.