The Hoppings is back in town: Your guide to the funfair

The Hoppings, Newcastle's Town Moor funfair, is returning for its 135-year-anniversary this weekend.

The event will be officially opened on Friday by Newcastle's Lord Mayor Linda Wright. There will be a party by the Giant Wheel accompanied by the the Fifth Fusiliers band.

Organised by the Freemen of Newcastle and Newcastle City Council, The Hoppings is an historic annual event in the North East.

It's one of the largest travelling fairs in Europe and a key social gathering of Showmen from all around the UK, with many showmen families having attended for generations.

With over 300 attractions on site, the fair generates employment for over 1,000 staff.

The funfair attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and generates million of pounds in revenue for the region.

What else is going on at The Hoppings?

The Newcastle Military show will be returning on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th with an open-air military exhibition.

Throughout the day the military are running live battlefield demonstrations, including explosive displays, police dogs and battlefield scenarios.

This will be on from 12:30 - 8pm.

When can you go?

The Hoppings officially opens on Friday 16th June and runs until Saturday 24th June at Newcastle's Town Moor (Newcastle Town Moor, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 3NH)

The fair will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 1.30pm - 11pm and on weekdays from 3pm until 11pm.

How do you get there?

• By car: Access to the fair is via the Grandstand Road entrance near the Blue House roundabout. There is on site parking available which costs £3 a day.

• By foot: Pedestrians can enter the fair via the main entrance on Great North Road, via the car parking area on Grandstand Road or from Claremont Road via Exhibition Park.

• By public transport: You can travel by bus or Metro to the fair. If travelling by by bus, you need to get off on Great North Road. If you're going on the Metro then the nearest station is West Jesmond.