THE rain only added to the experience of the first ever Mestival mud run and obstacle course.

Mestival was a one day family festival organised by Steve Cram's company Events of the North, in partnership with Hesleyside owners William and Anna Charlton.

Guy Opperman MP joined hundreds of runners at the event at Hesleyside near Bellingham.

The event kicked off with runners doing 2K, 4.5K and 10K courses through water tunnels, straw bales, muddy pits and the Hesleyslide.

Singer-songwriter Alistair Griffin brought the festival to a close with his headline performance.