Preparations are in full swing for a popular festival fair opening in just a couple of days.
The Houghton Feast is an ancient festival held every October in Houghton le-Spring, near Durham and Sunderland.
It dates back to the 12th century when it originated as Michaelmas, the dedication service to the parish church of St Michael and All Angels.
And it returns this Friday, October 7 and will run through the following Friday, October 14, with a packed programme of activities, events and entertainment.
The theme of this year’s festival is ‘A Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’ and it will launch on Friday with a spectacular community show on The Broadway celebrating her decades of service.
The celebration will see Houghton Pipe Band, Zazz dancers, Houghton Area Youth Brass Band, and The Houghton Feast Children's Choir entertain the crowds.
Read more: GP practices 'not delivering for patients' amid appointment woes
At the conclusion of the outdoor show, the Houghton Feast illuminations will be switched on by the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Alison Smith.
Other feast highlights include a Firework Spectacular on Monday October 10 at 7.30pm.
Fireworks will be launched from the Durham Road playing fields but can be viewed from the surrounding areas including Dairy Lane.
Other headline events throughout the ten-day event include the Carnival Parade and the much loved Roast Ox sandwiches on Saturday, October 8.
Full details of all the events and attractions can be found on this website.
Read next:
- First look inside popular pub as it opens with a new owner and menu
- Darlington couple get engaged inside Amazon warehouse leaving colleagues in tears
- Major crash involving two lorries closes the A19 in County Durham
If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here