IT was far from the ideal weather, but youngsters held a beach party yesterday to celebrate the success of a holiday play scheme.

The party was organised by King James Community Association, in Bishop Auckland, to mark the end of a week of activities.

The scheme provided hundreds of children with things to do and was funded by the County Durham Foundation.

Despite yesterday's drizzle, youngsters and parents acted as though life was a beach.

Youth leader Jill Johns said: "The beach day was to celebrate the end of the scheme and it was great, even though it wasn't the best weather for it."

During the play scheme, youngsters visited the Centre for Life, in Newcastle, Preston Hall Museum, in Stockton, and went butterfly spotting.