A MARKET town is gearing up for its annual fair which promises to be bigger and better than in previous years.

The Barnard Castle Meet is due to take place over the Bank Holiday weekend and begins with the crowning of the Meet queen at Scar Top on Saturday, at 11am.

The main procession takes place on Bank Holiday Monday at 1pm and promises a large number of floats, bands and other vehicles.

Meet committee president Andy Willsmore said: "I'm really looking forward to it. The weather's going to be good and we've got some great bands and floats for the procession. It was a bit slow at first, but now a lot of people are getting into it. There's going to be plenty of things going on over the weekend."

Over activities include a boat race on the River Tees on the Saturday afternoon, and a car boot sale on the Demesnes at 7am on Monday morning.

A number of other events are also taking place in the town to coincide with the festival. The Barnard Castle Steam Fair takes place at Streatlam Farm from Saturday until Monday.

The second Barnard Castle Blues Festival will be held in the car park of The Redwell Inn on Sunday.

The headline act is 1970s British band Dr Feelgood, supported by The Ian Parker Band, and Jeff Chapman's Roosters. Local bands include Ice Pick Willie and Hard Raine.

The free event starts at 12.30pm, with 14 young musicians from Teesdale Community Resources playing a mixture of R'n'B, blues and rock music.

Published: 24/05/2004