THOUSANDS of people had fun at shows and carnivals held on fields and playgrounds across the region over the weekend.

But high winds yesterday afternoon brought an abrupt end to the Rescue Centre's summer show in Ramshaw, near Bishop Auckland, when a marquee blew down.

Organiser Kate Wilson said: "It costs £2,500 to stage, but I had to call it off because it was too dangerous.

"The wind was too strong - it was blowing the jumps down in the showjumping.

"I have people camping here and we have events planned for the next two nights, but we haven't a marquee."

Farm animals and traditional country crafts and produce were the theme at St John's Chapel Show, in rural Weardale, County Durham, on Saturday.

Falconry displays, dog competitions and equestrian events entertained crowds on the Vicarage field, where the youngest runner 14-year-old Carl Bell, from Chester-le-Street, won a tough fell race in a course record time of 13 minutes 35 seconds.

Great Aycliffe Show returned to its traditional end-of-August slot after moving to June for the past two years.

Organisers said the switch had paid off, with good crowds on both days.

Yesterday's wind was too strong for one of the main attractions, a Wheel of Death, which only managed one display.

Andrew Bailey, Great Aycliffe Town Council's leisure and environment director, said: "All the other events went ahead and it has been very successful.

"We moved to June because the weather in August sometimes let us down, but we lost the garden produce, because it wasn't ready so early in the year."

The show ended with a VJ dance on the field last night.

In Gainford, near Darlington, the village hall staged Gainford Horticultural Show.

About 8,000 people attended Wensleydale Show, in Leyburn, on Saturday.

A record number of livestock and produce entries were submitted to this year's event.

Show secretary Gill Harrison said: "We had a fantastic show of sheep and cattle. The standard of the produce was also very high.

"There was a new grandstand and catering facilities this year and we received very positive feedback."

Attractions included an aerobatics display, children's fair, a circus workshop, a parade of hounds, and a performance by Leyburn Band.

Several hundred people attended a dance in the evening, with local band Toebar headlining.

People arrived in their droves to Stockton Show at Preston Park, in Eaglescliffe, which this year also hosted a wedding fair.

Each of the four days of the event, which finishes today, has a different theme. Friday was people, Saturday was pets, and yesterday and today is about medieval times.

Among the festivities are shows by The Beechmen Circus, fairground rides, stalls, crafts and an arena where a variety of acts will perform.