A feast of fun is on offer for all the family in Hartlepool this weekend

The free event which is being organised by Hartlepool Borough Council, is to be held at the Rift House “Rec” on Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19.

It will hark back to the Hartlepool Shows of years gone by while also adding a modern horticultural twist to what is sure to be a great weekend.

There will be a whole host of attractions, including live music, fairground rides, BMX displays and outdoor theatre, as well as award-winning flowers fruit and vegetables from across the North-East at the Horticultural Festival.

Youngsters are being encouraged to take part in the Horticultural Festival, with children’s classes including best fruit or vegetable man or model.

A dog show will take place at 3.30pm on Sunday and the fun categories will include the dog that looks most like its owner, best trick, nicest eyes and waggiest tail. Tickets for the pantomime Cinderella at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre this Christmas will be up for grabs as prizes. Owners can register their dogs on the day.

The Hartlepool Show runs from 11am-4pm on both days and more information is available at www.destinationhartlepool.com/events

The Horticultural Festival, which also incorporates the National Gladiolus Society Northern Exhibition 2018, will run from 12.30pm-5pm on Saturday and from 11am-4pm on Sunday. It is open to all members of the public.

All postal entries must be received on the official entry form (photocopies accepted) and be sent with the entry fee to Show Secretary Tom Hammond at 66 Fenton Road, Hartlepool TS25 2LQ no later than Friday, August 17. Entry forms can be downloaded at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/hartlepool-horticultural-show

Additional entries will be accepted on the day of the show, from 6am-9am prompt, where space permits. Judging will commence at 9.45am. Further information is available from Mr Hammond on (01429) 870411.

Earlier each day there will be a car boot sale in the car park off Kingsley Avenue run on behalf of the Rift House Residents’ Association. The sales will start at 9am. Selling pitches are £5 each and anyone who is interested should just turn up as no booking is required.