CROWDS lined the high street in Yarm this weekend to see horses thundering through the town as part of the centuries-old 'Riding the Fair' tradition.

Dozens of horses were ridden bareback along the high street to celebrate the three-day fair which has its roots in the 13th century.

Read more: Thrill-seekers flock to Yarm Fair as centuries-old tradition continues

The centuries-old tradition - also known as the flashing of the horses - involves racing and trotting horses up and down the main street and dates back to the time when the 813-year-old Yarm Fair was a livestock trading event.

In recent years the future of the tradition has been questioned over health and safety fears but it continued at pace on Saturday afternoon, the final day of Yarm Fair.

Plans to involve a steam locomotive in this year's flashing were withdrawn at the eleventh hour over safety fears.

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