Festival celebrates record crowds

A number of venues were used for the Durham Fringe Festival, including a tent on Palace Green

The Durham Fringe Festival attracted a record number of visitors, organisers have said.

About 7,500 tickets - a 40% increase on last year - were sold for the five-day event at venues around the city, including a marquee on Palace Green.

More than 120 volunteers and 90 artists and companies took part, with some travelling from as far afield as the United States and Western Australia.

The festival's director described it as a "wonderful success".

Acts included the Biscuit Barrel Comedy Sketch Group

Stephen Cronin said: "We appreciate the way many people have strived hard to create something extraordinary.

"We have experienced talented and creative acts and audiences have been wonderfully welcoming of their efforts.

“Our programme was so diverse and wide-ranging, and took in everything from children climbing magic spirals into the air accompanied by a Cheshire cat, to AI projection augmented dance.

"The range of talent on display was amazing."