THOUSANDS of people flocked to Europe's largest travelling fair over the weekend to soak up the sunshine and enjoy the thrills.

Up to a million people are expected to visit The Hoppings on Newcastle Town Moor - now in its 119th year - during the next ten days.

The first fair attracted 100,000 and it has gone from strength to strength.

This year's event boasts more than 50 large rides, 30 rides for youngsters, side shows and stalls, including bingo, hooplas and shooting galleries.

Thrillseekers will be able to enjoy rides such as The Tower, which looks like Big Ben and shoots riders 100ft up the tower, or The Jammer - a rollercoaster with cars that twist and turn on the tracks.

The Hoppings will open at 2pm each day and will close at 11.30pm on weekdays, 11.45pm on Saturdays and 10pm on Sundays.

Police will patrol the site until it closes at night.

The Hoppings grew out of the Temperance Festival that was held on the Town Moor from 1882, which itself replaced the horse races that had taken place on the site since 1721.

When the notoriously rowdy Newcastle Race Week Festival moved to Gosforth Park, the Temperance Movement and Freemen of Newcastle decided to create their own event.