HUNDREDS of families visited a newly-refurbished Darlington park to enjoy its annual fun day.

It is the first time that the South Park Family Fun Day has been held since it was extensively restored back to its Victorian splendour as part of a £3.9m project.

Fun day organisers believe the number of people who visited the park yesterday matched that of the re-opening event last May.

Large queues formed outside the café and ice cream stands as people made the most of the good weather.

Attractions included music at the bandstand by the Junk Orchestra and the Middlesbrough Jazz and Blues Orchestra.

There was also various street theatre acts, a bouncy castle, face painting, balloon-modelling, Punch and Judy, crafts and a climbing wall.

The Friends of South Park also raised funds by selling grain - a healthier alternative to bread - to children who wanted to feed the park's ducks.

Any money raised will be put towards new picnic areas.

Chairman of the Friends John Throw said the day had been a big success.

He said: "It's been a really good turnout, we are really pleased.

"The weather has been great, which is good as the forecast last night was a bit iffy.

"We've made a few more contacts who are interested in being Friends of South Park.

"We are talking similar numbers to those that turned up for the opening and that was amazing.

"It's nice to see so many children with their families.

"As Friends, we like to see events like this as it gets people into the park and using it.

"We want to represent their views about what people want in the park and pass them on to the park manager and the council.