ORGANISERS of a family fun weekend have come under fire for failing to ensure valuable exhibitions were insured and secure.

Thieves stole £3,000 worth of model vintage vehicles from Preston Park in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, overnight on Saturday-Sunday, despite security staff being in place.

Exhibitors from across the UK left their collections of model vehicles in a marquee, believing that the area was secure, but when they returned on Sunday, dozens had gone.

Philip Ashlee, from Heighington, near Darlington, and Evan Davies, from Norton, said they hoped Stockton Borough Council insurance would cover their losses.

But last night, a council spokesman said: "One of the exhibitors' conditions was that they accept full responsibility for insuring their property and they were also advised to remove displays at night."

Mr Ashlee and Mr Evans said advice on insurance had been ambiguous as it referred to working models, and denied anyone had told them to remove their exhibitions overnight.

Mr Ashlee lost £2,000 worth of models - none of which was insured.

He said: "I am a member of Darlington Model Railway Club and we put on an exhibition every year and always insure exhibitors, so I assumed the same at the weekend."

Councillor Alex Cunningham, of Stockton council, said the council would do everything possible to support the police inquiry.