TALL ones, short ones, red ones, blue ones - a fair featuring rare and unusual plants at Raby Castle, near Staindrop, County Durham, had them all.

Specialist nurseries from across the country descended upon the castle grounds with a selection of some of the world's most eye-catching plants.

Plants included grasses, trees and shrubs native to the four corners of the world, and there were varieties that were popular in medieval times and used for medicinal purposes.

Denis Foddy, organiser of The Nurseryman's Plant Fair, said: "Plant fairs have become exceedingly popular because of the high standards and variety on offer at inexpensive prices as people buy direct from the growers, cutting out the middle men.

"The fair was greatly enhanced by the delightful setting and gardens of Raby Castle."