The countdown is on to an historic North East fair that will take over a high street for three days this week.

Yarm Fair, which dates back the 13th century, will take place along the town's high street from this Thursday, October 20 until Saturday, October 22.

The three-day event runs from 6pm until 10pm on the Thursday and Friday and on the Saturday it will be open earlier from 1pm until 10pm.

The full length of the high street will be closed to traffic on the nights while the fair is ongoing.

The high street will also be closed to vehicles on Tuesday, October 18, between 6pm and 11.05pm which is when the trucks and vans bringing the attractions are expected to arrive.

The Northern Echo: File photo of Yarm Fair 2021File photo of Yarm Fair 2021 (Image: Northern Echo)

Yellow warning signs have been in place for several days at each end of the high street to let motorists know about the closures.

The fair is likely to bring all the traditional rides visitors have come to expect, from dodgems to walzters and fairground treats and games.

A centuries-old tradition known as the flashing of the horses or 'riding the fair' also normally takes place on the Saturday.

This involves riders racing and trotting their 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.

The riding of the fair will take place this year from 11.30am on the Saturday (October 22).

Yarm Fair dates back to the 13th Century when King John granted the town its original charter, but it had to be cancelled in 2020 for the first time in its 813-year history due to the Covid pandemic.

The Northern Echo: The flashing of the horses or 'riding the fair' at Yarm Fair in 2021 Picture: Stuart BoultonThe flashing of the horses or 'riding the fair' at Yarm Fair in 2021 Picture: Stuart Boulton (Image: Stuart Boulton)

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