SIZZLING temperatures brought record crowds to Ferryhill at the weekend for two days of carnival fun.

Ferryhill Gala started as a Millennium project and is proving more popular every year. Community groups came up with the idea of staging an annual event in the Market Place as a way of drawing residents together.

It also raises money for charities, and excellent takings were reported from the stalls on both days.

There was music from Ferryhill Brass Band, a fun dog show sponsored by Paws R Us, comedy magic from Mr Twister and a talent show by youngsters from the Ferryhill Town Council's E-Cafe.

Town clerk Jamie Corrigan said: "The gala brings people together and young people especially look forward to it.

"The weather has been fantastic and the crowds are probably the best we have ever had.

"The charity stalls have all done well. Ferryhill in Bloom, for example, took £370 on Saturday alone. It has been brilliant."