THE spirit of the circus came to a former pit village as it held its annual carnival.

Four floats, decorated on a circus theme, paraded through Sacriston from The Daisy Hill to Fyndoune Community College on Saturday.

One of the vehicles carried carnival princess Samantha Draper, 13, and her attendants Nicole Weldon, nine and Kaitlyn Butterfield, five.

The parade was followed by a summer fair in the grounds of the college.

The floats were entered by Plawsworth Road Infants School, Sacriston Guides and Witton Gilbert Drama Group.

There were also walking entries from children from Sacriston Infants School, who dressed up as clowns and were voted the overall winners.

Bernice Smith, of the carnival committee, said the standard of entries was high. "They went all out, as usual.

"The whole community, including the schools and the shops, gets involved. The sunshine helped and there was a great turn-out.

"We haven't had a carnival princess for a few years but we decided to start it again this year."

Attractions at the event included performances by Sacriston Colliery Band, stilt walkers and a circus skills workshop.

North Durham Labour MP Kevan Jones attended and the event was opened by Chester-le-Street District Council chairman Tom Harland.