A town show has been saved after councillors voted to let it carry on into its 47th year.

It had been suggested that the Hartlepool Show was out-of-date and should be shelved, because of falling attendances.

Complaints had also been received about the state of the football pitches at Grayfields after the show.

New attractions had been proposed as alternatives, including a maritime festival and a new horticultural show, at the Borough Hall.

However, at a full meeting of Hartlepool Borough Council this week, councillors voted 19 to 18 to keep the £20,000 Hartlepool Show, as well as planning future maritime festivals.

The next maritime festival is expected to take place next year. A charter festival will be held later this year, to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Hartlepool being granted a charter by King John.

Proposals for a horticultural show were scrapped.