A FORMER east Durham pit village will be staging its 10th annual festival at the weekend.

Shotton’s annual festival will start with a parade at 10.30am on Saturday from the Community Park on Marcia Avenue at 10.30am and follow the miners’ banner through the village to the Community Centre, where all the usual attractions will be situated.

Entertainment in the marquee will include local singer, Sarah and local band, Twister, along with Ilett Carr’s School of Dance and Pats Puppets. Festival goers can relax and enjoy the entertainment while tucking in to the snacks on offer in the Community Centre cafe.

Outside entertainment will include one of the festival’s favourite attractions – the Western Town, along with the Army and displays from the jazz bands. There will be a ‘Beat the Goalie’ competition and Nobles will also be providing some fairground attractions.

As always, there will be a variety of stalls, including tombola and raffle, with a good selection of prizes for the lucky winners.

The festival costs around £5,500 to stage and various events have been held over the past year to help raise funds. The committee has thanked Shotton Parish Council for its annual donation of £1,000 and MetroMail for sponsoring the children’s entertainment.

Shotton’s main through road will be closed from 10.15am until 11.15am on festival day.