TWO communities have headed outdoors to reclaim their parks from troublemakers.

Hundreds attended two festivals in Ronaldshay Park, Richmond, and Coronation Park, Catterick.

Richmondshire District Council joined North Yorkshire County Council's Connecting Youth Culture and 4Youth Service, Richmond Youth Council and the Army Welfare Office to stage the events.

Families enjoyed activities, including face-painting, mask, badge, banner and kite making, graffiti art, a climbing wall, bungee trampoline, skate park, multi-sports activities and a zip wire.

Three local bands -Rise From The Ashes, of Bedale, Eskimo Sandwich, of Northallerton, and Isotopia, of Richmond -performed.

Lynda Powell, of Richmondshire District Council, said: "There have been some issues of anti-social behaviour and this has been about reclaiming the parks for the community."

North Yorkshire county councillor Caroline Patmore said: "Events like these are invaluable in helping to transform areas which have had negative associations. Open spaces are for everyone to enjoy and, hopefully, that will now be the case."