TEA dancers dodged heavy showers and thunder over the weekend during an annual celebration of markets and pottery.

The Darlington Market Festival and Pot Fair is running in the town's Market Place until tomorrow.

As well as traders from far afield, selling a host of pottery not normally available in the town, the event includes entertainment.

The tea dance was first held last year, organised to mark the Queen Mother's 100th birthday.

This year it coincided with her 101st birthday on Saturday. To illustrate the good attendance at yesterday's event, about 400 scones were eaten along with 1,000 cups of tea, 50lbs of strawberries and five gallons of jelly.