THE spirit of the circus came to a former pit village as it held its annual carnival.

Four floats decorated on a circus theme paraded through Sacriston from The Daisy Hill to Fyndoune Community College on Saturday.

One of the vehicles carried carnival princess Samantha Draper, 13, and her attendants Nicole Weldon, nine and Kaitlyn Butterfield, five.

The parade was followed by a summer fair at the college.

The floats were entered by Plawsworth Road Infant School, Sacriston Guides and Witton Gilbert Drama Group.

There were also walking entries from children from Sacriston Infant School, who dressed up as clowns and were voted the overall winners.

Bernice Smith, of the carnival committee, said: "They went all out as usual.

"The whole community, including the schools and the shops, gets involved. The sunshine helped and there was a great turnout.

"We have not had a carnival princess for a few years, but we decided to start it again this year.''

Attractions at the event included performances by Sacriston Colliery Band, stilt-walkers and a circus skills workshop.

North Durham MP Kevan Jones attended the event, which was opened by Chester-le-Street District Council chairman Tom Harland.