FAMILIES and exhibitors turned out in force last weekend to make this year's Great Aycliffe Show one of the best yet.

Every corner of the showground, near Oakleaf Leisure Centre, Newton Aycliffe, had something to offer people of all ages and interests.

For the adventurous there was rock-climbing, go-karting and even the chance to land a Merlin helicopter on a ship's flight deck - courtesy of a Royal Navy simulator.

The arena staged a host of acts including aerobatics, motorbike and jeep stunts, a rodeo display and comic shows.

A Punch and Judy show and music from Aycliffe and Brancepeth Band, The Royal British Legion Pipe and Drums and 102 Battalion Reme also provided entertainment.

Co-organiser Marie Robinson said: "We think Saturday was one of the best attended days ever in the show's 22 year history, and although people were a little slower to arrive on Sunday it was a brilliant day too. The show is growing, when I started 13 years ago there were three marquees compared to 11 this year, and we are attracting a better range of trade stands and stalls. It has been a really great event."

The craft exhibition attracted some 500 entries.

Proceeds from the programme sales will be donated to the Mayor of Great Aycliffe Malcolm Iveson's charity campaign to buy insulin infusion pumps for the children's unit at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

The main trophy winners were: Home produce, Mrs C A Tennant; Craft, Mrs S Facinelli; Hand knitting, Mrs M Cutting; Home-made wine, Mr K W Tennant; Wood section, Mr G Allen; Amateur photography, Mr M Brown; Art, Mr G Westgarth; Schoolchildren's section, Alex Lovejoy.

Five-a-side winners were: Juniors, Heighington Rangers; Intermediate main, Aycliffe Black Cats; Intermediate plate, Heighington FC; Senior main, Dream Team; Senior plate, The Green from Spennymoor.

Whippet races (dog and owner): No limit, Micky Whizz, Peter Marley; 40lb, Pip's Pride, Sue Smithson; 36lb, Shine Arthur, Adam Revill; veteran, Blue Goblin, Garry and Denise Bailey; puppy, Waterford, Harry Boyd; yearling, Girl Power, Joyce Slater; top dog, Viv's Merlin, Don Syson; top bitch, Hot House, Jimmy Reynolds.