A GIPSY has said she would like a fair to go back to its roots when it returns to Teesside next year.

Tilly Wood, 80, has been going to Yarm Fair since she was born. When she was younger the streets of the town were lined with old-fashioned horse-drawn caravans and horse dealers.

As the fair draws to a close tonight, Tilly has said she wants to see it return to being a horse fair next year.

She said: "I am the oldest gipsy at the fair and I remember when people used to come to Yarm watching the horses pull the caravans. It hasn't been the same since those days.

"All the old fair people are dying and there are no longer many of the old caravans left. It just isn't the same now. I would like to see it go back to how it was about 30 or 40 years ago."

The High Street will be closed tonight from 6pm to midnight, but vehicles will be able to use the rear of the High Street from Bentley Wynd, through Bridge Street and West Street.