Crowds braved the snow this weekend to gather for one of the region’s largest Christmas Festivals.

Paddock Farm, near Darlington, hosted the festival; bringing together professional and hobbyist food producers and craft companies from the surrounding area in its first annual festive event in its stunning grounds.

The husband-and-wife team that took over the company in April is looking to continue the major event and make a mark on the annual regional calendar by offering local traders a new platform to sell their wares in the run up to Christmas.

The festive event also featured a competition among the exhibiting traders for the chance to supply Paddock Farm with its produce for a year and sell its goods in the site’s shop. The winner of the money spinning contract was Leanne Bain of Hippy Lizard who designs creative textile fashion accessories and hippy monsters!

Mark said: Leanne was really fun to work with; her products are unique and hugely enjoyable and are a welcomed addition to Paddock Farm for those looking to bring something different into their lives. We’re really looking forward to developing our relationship with both Leanne and Hippy Lizard and look forward to carrying her great stock!

Delighted winner, Leanne, said: “I’m so excited to have won and have my products on sale at Paddock Farm! I had such a great weekend at the Festival anyway, so to win the competition is just a bonus!”

Mark added: “We are extremely pleased with the turnout for our first Christmas festival and would like to thank all our exhibitors and all of the visitors that braved the extremely cold weather to help us make the weekend a success.

“We want this event to become a regular fixture on the annual festive calendar and we hope it develops into something the local community really looks forward to each year.”

Since taking over the company earlier this year, Mr and Mrs Binney have strived to develop Paddock Farm as a centre of excellence for plant and aquatic products.

The company expects to grow its 20-strong workforce in the coming months and may look to expand on to a portion of the 10 acres of land it has at its disposal.

“Our aim is to bring a sense of tradition back to garden centres while selling bespoke, quality items which can be tailored to individual customer needs,” said Mrs Binney.

Other exhibitors to attend the event included Barclays’ charity partner Cakes+, Chris McCallum with his chainsaw carving and children’s craft kit maker NE Day Crafts.

Paddock Farm is already keen to hear from ethical local producers, charities and craft enthusiasts who wish to get involved next year, regardless of whether they are established traders or retail newcomers.

For more information on the event and on Paddock Farm, which sells products for gardens, ponds, aquariums and in the home, please visit www.paddockfarm.co.uk.