TRACTORS from as far away as Ireland and Cambridge descended on Barnard Castle at the weekend to compete in a tractor-pulling contest.

Crowds came from all over Teesdale and the surrounding area to watch farmers compete in seven classes for tractor horsepower groups.

The event, held at Streatlam Farm on Saturday, saw the pulling power of tractors tested, with the vehicles pulling up to 75 tonnes.

The event, organised by the Barnard Castle Steam Truck and Tractor Club, was held after the success of the first in November. The next one will be held on April 19.

The winners were: Class one: 1 Robert Kidd; 2 Alan Simpson. Class two: 1 Martin Hodgson; 2 M Lonsdale. Class three: 1 J Gilson; 2 Chris Barron. Class four: 1 Bill Hutchinson; 2 Joe Pounder. Class five: 1 Richard Buck; 2 Scot Hodgson. Class six: 1 Ian Clayton; 2 Terry Watson. Class seven: 1 Malcolm Rickerby; 2 Angus Stokoe.