Dalton's Historic Fair and Market went with a real swing in 1995 with everything from children's maypole dancing to Wild West dancers strutting their stuff.

The town's traditional fair, dating back to 1239, ran for hundreds of years but lapsed in the early part of the twentieth century until it was revived in 1979.

The fair on Saturday, May 6, 1995, which was held in the Market Place in the shadow of historic Dalton Castle, attracted more than 1,000 townsfolk, according to the vicar of St Mary's Church, the Rev Stephen Skinner.

He said: "When the fairs first began, they would have been a bit different to today. They wouldn't be for fundraising, they would have been more commercial, like a market.

"Then it must have faded away and for a long, long time there was no fair here at all."

Mr Skinner said he hoped the event would have raised around £2,000.

The cash would go towards a new roof and refurbishment at St Mary's Church Centre, which he said could cost anything up to £5,000.

"The committee got going organising about the beginning of September because they tried to book big acts like the Wild West Rangers who are very busy and get booked up early on."

Everything proved a success with the event running like clockwork. There were stalls, swings, a bouncy castle, traditional woodcarving, clog dancing, raffles, Morris dancing and lace making.

The weather was perfect with sweltering temperatures but a gentle breeze to cool the crowd.

A week later The Mail reported that fantastic fancy dress, superb stalls and countless customers had created an excellent Dalton Charter Fair.

Stallholders dressed in medieval costumes and Market Street was awash with colour.

There were numerous stalls, music and refreshments and stallholders were also raising money for local and national charities.

Cathy Chapman and Kate Hughes manned their Save the Children stand. Kate said: "Everyone in Dalton is proving they're very generous and kind."

The following month patchwork, quilting, embroidery and tatting were in display at the Dalton Charter craft competition, held at the United Reformed Church hall.