THE hustle and bustle of a traditional summer carnival was brought to life at a North-East retirement village as residents, staff and family members helped to raise money for charity.

The normally tranquil and manicured lawns at Middleton Hall Retirement Village, in Middleton St George, near Darlington, were transformed for a summer fun day under glorious sunshine.

Entertainment came a number of guises, from traditional fun fair games, face painting, a fancy hat competition, craft stalls and tombola, to staff dressed as circus entertainers, lions, giraffes and a strongman.

Residents and family also joined in the fun by posing for photographs in the circus ring.

Chickens and Shetland ponies added to the carnival atmosphere and the event raised almost £500 for the Alzheimer’s Society - moving Middleton Hall’s annual fundraising target for its chosen charity closer to its £10,000 goal.

Jeremy Walford, Middleton Hall managing director, said: “We had a fantastic event thanks to the sunshine and a great deal of effort put in by staff to make it a special day.

“Everyone at the retirement village had an enormous amount of fun. Laughter, I’m sure, could be heard echoing in the Cleveland Hills.”