A VILLAGE managed to salvage its annual fete despite being affected by the foot-and- mouth outbreak.

Middridge Village Association feared it would have to cancel the highlight of its social calendar, which takes place on the first weekend in July, when the farming community was affected by the foot-and- mouth disease outbreak.

Stalls belonging to the association are kept on one of the farms and organisers thought they would not be able to bring them to the village green.

Treasurer Doreen Saddler said: "It was all organised in one month. Everybody worked really hard and it was a great success."

The event raised more than £1,000 for the refurbishment of the village hall.

Singers from Greenfield School, Newton Aycliffe, entertained visitors, and villagers gathered on the green for a barbecue afterwards.