Hundreds of Wearsiders had fun in the sun as the city's biggest fair rolled into town, pictured below.

Organisers said they were delighted with the turnout for the first night of the Stadium of Light Fun Fair extravaganza, which has set up camp until July 12.

A queue of 200 had already formed before the opening at 6pm yesterday, with scores more pouring through the gates to take advantage of the £1-a-ride offers.

Event organiser Kenneth Reader, who has worked on fairs all his life, said: "I am over the moon with the response.

"The people of Sunderland appreciate a good deal and will support it.

"This is the biggest fair the city has ever seen and we want to make it an annual event."

"We want it to become like the Hoppings so that everyone associates the first two weeks of July with the fair coming to town."

Among those enjoying the thrills and spills of the 50 attractions and rides was Nicola Tyrell, 25, and her sons Aaron, four, and Ryan, three.

The Southwick mum said: "The boys have been counting down the sleeps until the fair opened and they have loved every minute.

"It's great to have something like this in Sunderland which you can just walk to."

The event, organised by Corporate Funfairs, also impressed Marie Millea, 33, and her sons Kyle, five, and Brett, two.

Marie, from Tunstall, said: "Sunderland has been missing a fair since Seaburn closed down so it's great to have this here.

"We went to the Hoppings last week and it would be good if this was made into an annual event like that. If Newcastle can do it, then so can we."

Gale Ann Harrison, 18, from Plains Farm, was enjoying the rides with pal Rebecca Graham, 18, from Ashbrooke.

She said: "This is such a good thing for Sunderland. We have had a really good time and will be going home with smiles on our faces."

Highlights of the extravaganza are the Mad Mouse roller coaster, which at 40 metres long, reaches heights of about 15 metres.

Other big rides include the Wild Apple roller coaster, the Toboggan roller coaster, the Sea Storm, Speed Buzz and the Meteorite.

Entry to the funfair is £1 and all the rides are £1 a go, apart from the three biggest ones which are £2.

It will be open from 6pm to 10pm on weekdays, 1pm to 10pm on weekends, and 4pm to 10pm on Wednesday, July 8 and Sunday, July 5.