POLICE are to meet organisers of carnivals in Teesdale to review safety following two accidents at the weekend.

Inspector Dave Allaway, of Barnard Castle Police, is to meet organisers of carnivals and fun days in Teesdale.

The move follows incidents at Staindrop Carnival, on Saturday, in which a ten-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl were injured.

The first accident happened before the carnival had begun, when ten-year-old Abigail Cronin was crossing the road and was hit by a car. She was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for a precautionary x-ray, but was released within an hour.

The other incident involved a teenager who slipped off a float during the procession. The girl was concussed and was taken to hospital where she received stitches for a cut to her chin.

Concerns over road safety had put the carnival in doubt and police had wanted to close the route through the village, but a last-minute meeting saved the event.

Insp Allaway said: "Obviously there have been incidents at this weekend's carnival that concern me, particularly with regard to the carnival parade.

"We will hopefully be meeting with organisers of carnivals across Teesdale to discuss safety issues and on top of that I will speak with the safety advisory group.

"My job is to ensure that these events are run safely and smoothly and hopefully by speaking to organisers we can try to ensure that."