HUNDREDS of visitors to Barnard Castle were taken back in time on Saturday, as a pair of peasants demonstrated medieval life.

As part of the Heritage Open Days season, historical group Rent a Peasant spent the day within the walls of the castle, armed with toys, tools and livestock.

Children and adults enjoyed playing with wooden toys, similar to those used hundreds of years ago.

There was a demonstration of traditional flour-making, and while chickens roamed around the rounds, visitors were reminded of the realities of medieval cookery, as a dead pheasant lay ready to be plucked for Sunday dinner.

Luisa Gidney, from Rent a Peasant, said: "There weren't any supermarkets back then. If you wanted a chicken sandwich, you started with raw grains and a dead bird.

"The children are very interested and the little boys in particular love making the flour - they get quite carried away by it.

"We are the peasants, not the rich folk, so we're giving an idea of what life was like for ordinary people then."

Gail Graham, outreach officer for English Heritage, said: "A steering group from Barnard Castle have put all this together, and it's been a great day.

"We're hoping to have about 400 people visit, and it helps that it's such a beautiful day."

Elsewhere in the castle, Denise Charlton put on activities where children could find out about archaeology.

Events were held throughout the region as part of the nationwide scheme, with lots going on in churches in Barnard Castle and the surrounding area.