FAMILIES gathered together in the sunshine to join in a centuries old tradition on Easter Sunday.

Led by the Bishop of Jarrow, the Rt Revd Mark Bryant, crowds of people gathered to roll eggs in Heighington.

The annual egg rolling competition, which takes place at St Michael’s Church, saw three children take home chocolate eggs after beating off competition to roll their eggs the furthest.

The tradition of egg rolling in the UK dates back hundreds of years, with Christians believing the egg symbolises the rolling away of the rock from Jesus’ tomb before his resurrection.