CROWDS flocked to enjoy Staindrop's village carnival at the weekend.

Saturday's event, a tradition which dates back a century, was the biggest the village between Darlington and Barnard Castle had ever held.

Organisers said the show was enjoyed by hundreds of people.

David Cronin, who runs the Spar shop in the village, said: "It was very well attended. The weather was gorgeous, which always helps, and everything went extremely well."

It took about 20 minutes for the procession to go past, everyone was busy and there was plenty for the crowds to do.

Mr Cronin said: "The fairground rides were far better than they have been for the past few years, and in general everything was a lot better."

The show had been in jeopardy because police wanted to close the main road and force the carnival parade to take a different route.

But Mr Cronin said a last-minute meeting had resolved the issue. He said: "We are pleased that the police came to an arrangement so that the carnival could go ahead, because we would hate to lose it."

Two minor injury accidents, involving a young girl hurt when she ran into the path of a car, and another girl who fell off a float, did not dampen visitors' enthusiasm.