LOVERS of rural pursuits found plenty to keep them entertained at a two-day celebration of the countryside over the weekend.

The seventh Teesdale Game Fair attracted 15,000 people to the grounds of Witton Castle, near Bishop Auckland, on Saturday and Sunday.

Event organisers had drawn exhibitors from all over the country but would welcome more stands from the North-East next year.

Geoff Clutton, of Exhibition Management Ltd, said: "I would like to see more participation from people in the area. There must be a lot of crafts people and other businesses who could show their produce.

"I would also like to hear from a local charity. The community here has supported the event and I would like to put something back in return."

Around the showground there was top-gun clay shooting, racing and competitions from the National Terrier and Lurcher Association and the Fell and Moorland Working Terrier Club.

Angling was represented for the first time through the Weardale Fly Fishers and Tiers.

Displays by Bill Heslop and his Rossendale Sheepdogs, birds of prey from the Ridgeside Falconry, the Cheshire Dog Display Team and the Imps Motorcycle Display Team entertained crowds around the main arena.

Trade stand customers could find anything from a ferret cage to a £90 pair of wellingtons or mysterious 'love' herbs, which stop pheasants from straying.

And 30 members of the Durham branch of the Muzzle Loaders' Association of Great Britain had two stands, one for clay and the other for bigger bore weapons and a display of antique rifles and pistols.

Mr Clutton can be contacted at Bridge Farm, Rawcliffe Bridge, near Goole, East Yorkshire, telephone (01405) 831184.