FAMILIES were able to enjoy the fun of the seaside without having to travel to the coast at the weekend.

About 1,000 people visited Bishop Auckland Market Place yesterday to build sandcastles and play on fairground rides, at a fun day hosted by Wear Valley District Council.

Face-painting and Punch and Judy featured among the entertainment.

Stephen Wiper, cultural services manager for the council, said children had enjoyed the event.

He said: "I am just so pleased that the weather turned out to be good, especially after all the rain we have had lately.

"It has been a good day and it is hard to say how many people have been. I think the main thing that the kids have enjoyed is playing in the sand.''

Artists from Percy, in Teesside, spent the day face-painting, with children enjoying the fantasy of becoming pirates and princesses. Street Entertainers also joined in the fun.

Youngsters from Henknowle and other areas of Bishop Auckland were given the chance to display some of the masks they had been working hard to create in recent weeks.

Funding came from a variety of sources, including Wear Valley District Council, Bishop Auckland Town Centre Management and The Children's Fund.