A FUN-PACKED weekend of activities is promised at the Staindrop Carnival.

The two-day event, which has been held on the village green for more than 80 years, gets under way today.

The pet show starts at 10.30am, but the carnival begins at noon.

The procession of floats will start at 1.30pm, followed by judging and the presentation of prizes.

It will be followed by a five-a-side football final, a display by the South Durham Pipes and Drums, and morris and clog dancers.

One of the day's highlights will be a mock Viking battle, which takes place on the village green at 3.30pm.

Throughout the day there will be various games of skill, a display of owls for people to handle, children's entertainers and face-painting.

The fun will continue tomorrow, with the show's annual sports day.

Organiser Jonathan Bretherton said: "We usually get about a thousand people, which is a lot for a small village."

Police have warned motorists that the A688, a popular route for tourists, will be closed for about 45 minutes while the procession takes place.

Motorists are being advised to take alternative routes to avoid delays.