A DOCUMENTARY about Newcastle's famous funfair has been released on DVD and VHS video.

The Story Of The Hoppings has never been broadcast on television. It tells a fascinating tale from the perspective of visitors, as well as going behind the scenes with the show community.

The story is narrated by comedian, actor and musician, Brendan Healy.

He said: "When all the show wagons arrive on the Town Moor, it's like a small town springing up overnight.

"When you cast your mind back to visiting the Hoppings as a kid, you can remember the sights and sounds so clearly.

"The shouts of the barkers and the girls screaming on the rides. You can even recall the distinctive smell of hot dogs and onions, the gritty taste of candy floss and the feel of the husk on a hard-won coconut."

The programme includes archive film going back to the 1920s, with photographs and posters showing how the fair has changed in 120 years.

Some of the legendary attractions include the Razzle Dazzle, the Octopus, the Wall of Death, the Dive Bomber, Shaw's Moonrockets, the Shufflebottom's Wild West Show and the Waltzer.