EUROPE’s largest travelling funfair has opened in the North-East.

The Hoppings will be at the Town Moor in Newcastle until Saturday.

The annual event, which was cancelled last year, was officially opened by the city’s Lord Mayor, Councillor George Pattison.

The launch was attended by representatives of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.

Coun Pattison said: “The Hoppings has a strong tradition in the North-East and it’s great to see it back on the Town Moor.

“I am proud that we are lucky enough to have Europe’s largest funfair visit our region."

Now in its 132nd year, The Hoppings attracts growing crowd numbers as people of all ages turn up to try out new and ever scarier rides such as this year’s main attraction, The StarFlyer, which spins riders backwards and forwards in swings on chains 60m from the ground.

For the traditionalists there are rides that stand the test of time such as the waltzer, dodgems, helter skelters and ghost trains.

The Hoppings will be open from 2pm to 11pm on weekdays and from 1.30pm on Saturday, with discount vouchers available to download from the website www.hoppingsfunfairs.com