ONE of Europe's largest travelling funfairs is moving on tomorrow.

Thousands of people have been to The Hoppings, on Newcastle's Town Moor, which has a mix of white-knuckle rides and traditional stalls.

The fair dates from 1882, when it was introduced as a Temperance Festival to provide a sober alternative to the drinking and gambling at Newcastle Races.

Some of the legendary attractions include the Razzle Dazzle, the Octopus, the American Eggs, the Wall of Death, the Dive Bomber, Shaw's Moonrockets, Shufflebottom's Wild West Show and, of course, the Waltzer.

The rotor, where riders defy gravity by sticking to the inside of a spinning drum, is the only ride where people pay to watch and take part.

It is still a popular attraction today.

There are also classics such as the hook-a-duck, coconut shies and shooting galleries, and the Helter Skelter.

The more adventurous may try fearsome rides such as Vertigo, Chaos and Speed -fast-moving, high-dropping, stomach-churning experiences with bright flashing lights and loud music. The Story of the Hoppings -a documentary released earlier this year -was narrated by comedian, actor and musician Brendan Healy.

He said: "When you cast your mind back to visiting The Hoppings as a kid, you can remember the sights and sounds so clearly; the garish paintwork of the shows and the coloured lights, and the shouts of the barkers and the girls screaming on the rides.

"You can even recall the distinctive smell of hot dogs and onions, the gritty taste of candy floss and the feel of the husk on a hard-won coconut."