DARLINGTON’S Victorian heritage was celebrated this weekend as ‘steampunks’ enjoyed a gathering in the town.

A elaborately-dressed group of steampunk enthusiasts took a stroll around the town’s market square ahead of a masked ball on Saturday (August 2).

The steampunk movement, inspired by the industrial revolution and Victorian science fiction from the likes of Jules Verne, sees its members don period costume in a bid to recreate the imagination of a bygone era.

Attracting admiring glances from passersby, the group paraded around the town centre resplendent in outfits that paid homage to images of Victorian ladies, explorers and the military.

On Saturday evening, they enjoyed a masked ball organised by the Darlington Victorian Steampunk Connection group in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance.

The event featured a variety of stalls, refreshments, raffles and a performance from steampunk band BB Blackdog.