COLOURFUL costumes, rousing music and traditional family entertainment ensured a long-running village carnival was a great success.

Hundreds lined the main road through Straindrop, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, yesterday (July 12), to watch the procession, led by beaming carnival queen, Ellie Ruddle.

And it was certainly a sight to behold, with villagers dressing up as everything from Scooby-Doo to Mary Poppins.

Organiser Liz Cronin also had cause to smile, as earlier this year there had been doubts as to whether the event would go ahead.

The organising committee had dwindled to just three members, forcing Mrs Cronin to issue an urgent plea for more volunteers.

“Thankfully, people pulled together and we recruited more members,” she said.

“It was quite difficult this year, as it was an inexperienced team, but everyone worked really hard and it will only get better.”

Adele Fletcher, who attended the carnival with her sons, Alfie, four, and Jack, two, said: “The procession was fantastic, one of the best in years. Alfie really enjoyed it.”

The carnival also featured vintage cars, a traditional fun fair and much more, while today (July 13) residents enjoyed a sports day and duck race.