RESTAURANTS and businesses in Durham enjoyed a roaring trade as crowds braved chilly winds to visit the city's annual fire and ice spectacle.

Durham Business Improvement District (BID), the organisers unveiled 15 installations forming an ice sculpture trail around the city centre on the theme of Travelling through Time.

Stephenson’s Rocket in Prince Bishops was the tallest sculpture the festival has ever had at a DeLorean car from Back to the Future at the Riverside was the largest ice sculpture the city has seen.

Alongside the signature pieces featured during the two-day event was a replica of the northern aspect of Durham Cathedral, a working Steam Punk Timepiece and a Viking longship as well, as returning favourites such as the chocolate block and have-a-go wall.

Visitors were also be able to turn their hand to ice carving under the watchful eye of the experts from Glacial Arts.

Adam Deathe, business engagement manager at Durham BID, said: “We have been very pleased at how the event worked out.

"There were obviously concerns around the weather, because of the high winds.

"But the weather didn’t ruin the festival and a lot of people heeded our advice and came in early, because the city was particularly busy on both Friday and Saturday."

He added: "One of the things that I enjoyed was the fact that I was turned away from two restaurants for lunch on Saturday, before I managed to get a place in the third.

"For me, that is a litmus test for an event in the city – if shops and restaurants are literally bursting at the seams."