PROFESSIONAL performers from across the country converged on a tented village at the weekend to raise the curtain on one of County Durham's biggest festivals of the year.

Playfest 2000 at Chester-le-Street's Riverside Park saw a range of productions for thousands of children and adults who attended.

As well as being packed with performances, Playfest also offered arts and crafts activities, a traditional funfair and displays.

Visitors got the chance to meet the cat with three names, travel on a perilous journey with Little Star and explore the world of water with myths and legends about the rivers Derwent, Wear and Tees. Running alongside the event was Greenfest, designed to promote Chester-le-Street's Agenda 21, which is aimed at improving life in the district without damaging the environment.

The Greenfest activities, including craft workshops, wind and solar power demonstrations and cycle-repair workshops were staged in three marquees and yurts (Mongolian tents).

Chester-le-Street District Council put £3,000 into Playfest and attracted overall funding of £37,000. The event was sponsored by international playground manufacturer Kompan. Funders also included Durham County Council, Northern Arts, Cleveland Theatre Company, National Lottery Arts for Everyone and Chester-le-Street's Local Agenda 21.