AN annual outdoor market has been hailed a success - despite poor weather.

The French market in Darlington attracted a crowd despite rain for much of the bank holiday weekend.

Opera singers, Parisian costumes and traditional French produce proved a draw for shoppers, who flocked to the stalls in Skinnergate.

The market is in its fifth year of May Bank Holiday weekends in Darlington, and traders said they hoped to return next year - but with better weather.

Although many said they were pleased with the turnout, they had hoped to be busier.

One jewellery trader said business had suffered because of the rain.

"We have not been as busy as I hoped, but that is because of the weather," she said.

"People do not go walking around at outdoor things when there is bad weather. But I'm looking forward to coming back next year."

Another trader said: "I have had a very nice time here, and everything has been very good apart from the weather.

"The number of people wasn't too bad, but it could have been better."