The festival is a weekend of world-class street entertainment, live music and special one-off performances.

It is organised by North and South Tyneside councils and this year was supported by DFDS Seaways.

Highlights included a concert by The Script, which was attended by 4,000 people in the spectacular setting of Tynemouth Priory and Castle.

On Sunday, schoolchildren from North Tyneside took part in colourful pageant through Tynemouth village with the theme of 'beside the seaside'.

Meanwhile, the festival was brought to a spectacular close in South Shields with the parade of a nine metre-tall animatronic insect followed by a spectacular pyrotechnic display.

The closure of the Tyne Tunnel, which coincided with this year's event, did not have a big impact on visitor numbers.

Coun Glynis Barrie, North Tyneside Council's cabinet member for community services, said: "We're delighted that this year's Mouth of the Tyne Festival was a such a success.

"I attended the event on both days and had a great time. It also meant I saw at first hand just how much other people enjoyed themselves too.

"There were lots of highlights but I thought the children's pageant was particularly special. Hundreds of local schoolchildren took part in the parade and the smiles on their faces said it all.

"What's also pleasing is that the visitor numbers would suggest the Tyne Tunnel closure had very little impact on this year's festival. Like everyone else, I'm already looking to next year's event."

Coun Tracey Dixon, South Tyneside Council's lead member for culture and wellbeing, said: "We had a cracking line-up of world-class entertainment at this year's Mouth of the Tyne Festival and, judging by the crowds, it clearly captured the imagination of the public.

"It was wonderful to see so many people coming to our beautiful coastline to enjoy themselves, and this will have provided a major boost to the economy on both sides of the river.

"We will continue to work hard to attract people to the area for fun days out, and I'm delighted to say that there is a lot more to look forward to this summer."