SHOPKEEPERS painted a town red at the weekend to create a colourful backcloth for a carnival parade.

Organisers of Middleton-in Teesdale Carnival chose a red theme for shop window decorations hiding clues for a Scarecrow trail contest, one of many held over six days of celebrations. The event started last Tuesday with a road race organised by Darlington Running Club and ended yesterday with sports and a barbecue.

Scarecrows have been posted outside homes, businesses and farms for two weeks. Competition winner William Glaister, of Alston Road, dressed his as a tree surgeon.

Carnival queen Samantha Proffitt, attended by Caitlin Owen and Nakita Collinson, was crowned on Friday night and joined in Saturday's parade of floats and jazz bands to the school field for stalls and games, baby and pet shows, a trail bike display and a juggling and unicycle workshop.

The Scott family won the float competition with their entry How the West Was Won.

Other events included a car treasure hunt.