Vikings in a home-made longboat led the procession as Darlington's carnival got under way at the weekend.

Saturday's parade took the theme of exploration and discovery, which fired the imagination of schools and youth groups.

Floats featured dinosaurs, cavemen and ancient Egyptians, while musical entertainment from Skerne Park Youth Club's drumming group and others filled the town centre with a carnival atmosphere.

In Stanhope Park and at Darlington Arts Centre, festivities throughout the afternoon included performances from Sky Babies, Sugar Stealers and Bilbo and Fudjit, a Punch and Judy show and more.

Yesterday saw further fun, with live music from Spennymoor Youth Brass Band, Left Hand Drive, Neil Scarfe and Prospect Avenue in the Market Square, children's entertainment and a treasure hunt.

Amid the festivities, the Quakers organisation put its stall out in Darlington for the first time in 300 years.

The charity stall in East Row sold produce and books and distributed literature about the Quaker movement.