FAMILIES turned out in force to enjoy two carnivals at the weekend.

Residents lined the streets of Shildon on Saturday to watch the procession of floats and neighbours in fancy dress parade through the town to Hackworth Park.

Meanwhile, families in Toft Hill and Etherley enjoyed a village carnival and fete.

The event in Shildon was hailed as a triumph by Mayor Stuart Bird, who praised residents who organise the event, town council staff and new Shildon Centre manager Christine Wood for co-ordinating it.

He said: "It has been a lovely event, very well attended and lots of fun for all ages.

"People made a real effort to dress up and take part and as usual the community and council workforce pulled together to make it happen.

"They are real unsung heroes."

Ms Wood, who became manager of the Shildon Centre five weeks ago, said: "When I started I knew I couldn't replace Flo McCall, who retired after 20 years and had always been the main organiser.

"But the community works really hard to make it a fantastic day and I'm sure everyone would thank them for an excellent event."

Among the stars of the event were carnival queen Stacey Lynch, 13, a Sunnydale School pupil, and princess Beth Olivia Alderson, ten, a pupil of Timothy Hackworth Primary School.

Rebecca Mottram, 14, and Jessica Tweddle, 14, both Sunnydale School pupils, were runners-up in the carnival queen contest.

At Toft Hill and Etherley, people took part in fancy dress competitions and activities on the recreation ground on Saturday.

Etherley Parish Council clerk Alison Overfield said: "It was a successful day, even without the procession it was well attended.

"We are hoping to reinstate the procession next year but that depends largely on funding because we have to pay for road closure.

"We plan to work with other carnival committees across Teesdale in future and hopefully if we put up a united front we can get a cheaper deal."