A THOUSAND balloons and streamers showered down in the Cornmill Shopping Centre in Darlington yesterday to celebrate its tenth birthday.

Shoppers crowded around the balcony and counted down from ten to zero before the balloons fell, to mark each year the centre has been open.

The air was then filled with the sound of balloons popping as shoppers waited to find out which balloon contained the winning raffle ticket.

Centre manager Albion Small plucked one balloon from the thousand and the white ticket inside, number 183, was the winner.

The owner of the ticket has yet to claim a prize of £500 worth of gift vouchers.

Alpha Radio entertained with a roadshow and shoppers answered quiz questions to win prizes.

Mr Small said: "The day has been fantastic. Prizes were donated by a number of the shops and cafes here. They have been so generous."

The birthday celebrations are running for three days. A children's favourite, cartoon character Scooby Doo, will be there today, between 10am and 3pm.

Tomorrow, there will be entertainment for all ages, with Professor Brian Llewellyn's Punch and Judy show, face painting, clowns and stilt walkers.