A VILLAGE fete, which was resurrected for the first time in more than 90 years last month, has been hailed a success by organisers.

Villagers are already making plans for next year's Hamsterley Hoppings, after the popularity of the event, which is set to raise more than £5,000 for the North East Air Ambulance.

Residents of the village, near Bishop Auckland, decided to revive the fair earlier in the year.

At its peak, the Hoppings, so called because of the dancing that used to take place, was one of the most popular in the region.

"When we were organising it, we thought that if we got two or three hundred people coming, it would be great," said organiser Trish Hayes.

"As it turns out it, was better than we could ever have expected, we think that more than 1,000 people were there over the course of the day. We've already had people booking up stalls for next year's show."

The main sponsor of this year's event, local company Warrens, has also pledged to support next year's Hoppings.

This weekend's prize-giving evening, to present winners of all the competitions from the Hoppings with their prizes, will feature an auction, with money raised going to the air ambulance. Local companies have donated prizes to the event, which will be held at Hamsterley Social Club on Saturday.

Up for auction will be nights at a hotel, sight-seeing tours, football tickets, beauty treatments and champagne. Tickets to the event, which starts at 7.30pm, cost £3, which is payable on the door.

For more details, call Mrs Hayes on 01388-488366.