A TOWN crier heralded the opening of Durham City's Summer Festival, which attracted hundreds of visitors from all over the region at the weekend.

The programme of events fell victim to the vagaries of the British weather, with one day of sunshine and another of showers.

The festival was staged at venues from the Market Place and Palace Green to the river banks and Crook Hall.

Among the varied attractions were a busking competition, a country market, a craft and gift marquee and river boat cruises, as well as an Anglo Saxon re-enactment.

In the indoor market, stallholders got into the spirit of the weekend by dressing up in Medieval costumes.

A stage in the Market Place was the setting for the presentation of live music and the audience was also entertained to morris dancing.

At Alington House, members of a quilting club put dozens of their works on display.

The summer festival was organised by the Durham City Forum.

Despite the wet weather on the second day, the event was hailed a success by the many hundreds of people who travelled into the city.