WHEN Saracen first ventured into the woods, it was with a great deal of trepidation.

More used to the bustling streets of Dublin, the young shire horse took a great deal of convincing.

But, with the expert guidance of lumberjack Danny McNeill, he is now one of the few logging horses in the country. And he is in good hands.

For Danny, logging runs deep in the blood. His father Joe came to work the region's woods during the Second World War and stayed on after.

This weekend, Danny will take part in the nation's biggest forest festival, where he will put the trusty 12-year-old Saracen, as well as Scout, through their paces, showing how horses can still beat machines in shifting timber.

Danny, who spends four months each year in Kielder lifting timber from difficult or sensitive terrain, said: "Tractors became our mainstay but there was a growing demand for more sensitive logging at Kielder.

"I had to train both horses from scratch. Saracen came from the streets of Dublin and was a bit wary of going into the woods at first, but now works with hardly any commands."

There will be more than 100 rustic activities expected to draw 6,000 people to the Chopwell Forest Festival at the High Spen beauty spot, Gateshead.

The festival will also feature New Zealand axe racing, including a race against a chainsaw to prove that machines are for "wimps".

Artist Dave Gross will also be on hand to demonstrate his wood-carving skills.

Gates open from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday. Entry is £3 for adults and £2 for concessions with children under four free.

Family tickets are £8.