THE weather threatened to wash out one of the biggest weekends of the year in a village's social calendar.

But organisers of Staindrop Carnival breathed a sigh of relief when the sun broke through and brought out the crowds.

An estimated 1,000 people attended the carnival on Saturday.

Organiser Jonathan Bretherton said initial problems had caused some headaches.

"We had a very worrying start because the heavens opened and it rained all morning," he said.

"Then a coach bringing one of the bands from Scarborough broke down just outside the village and delayed the procession by half an hour.

"But, in the end, the sun came out and we had a smashing day and a good turnout."

The procession of floats, bands and carnival participants through Staindrop was one of the highlights of the day.

But there were plenty of other attractions, including a pipe band, morris dancers, a Dutch street organ, birds of prey, football competitions and balloon-modelling.

There was also a Viking mock battle on the village green, which proved popular.

Mr Bretherton said: "We had to juggle things around because of changes to the programme and other problems, but it was a very good day."

The fun continued yesterday with the annual sports day, which included a one-mile run and a three-legged race.