Wet weather didn't stop excited crowds turning up in their thousands for the return of a popular annual fair.

Yarm Fair, which dates back the 13th century, is taking place along the town's high street from tonight until Saturday.

Read more: First glimpse of Yarm Fair as popular event returns to High Street

Visitors to the fair enjoyed all the traditional rides people have come to expect, from dodgems to walzters and fairground treats and games.

A centuries-old tradition known as the flashing of the horses or 'riding the fair' also normally takes place on the Saturday.

This involves riders racing and trotting their horses up and down the main street and dates back to the time when the 813-year-old Yarm Fair was a livestock trading event.

The full length of the high street will be closed to traffic on the nights while the fair is ongoing.

Yellow warning signs have been in place for several days at each end of the high street to let motorists know about the closures.

Yarm Fair dates back to the 13th Century when King John granted the town its original charter, but it had to be cancelled in 2020 for the first time in its 813-year history due to the Covid pandemic.

The riding of the fair will take place this year from 11.30am on the Saturday (October 22).

Take a look at our gallery of pictures from Northern Echo Camera Club Simon McCabe on the opening night below.

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