CHITTY Chitty Bang Bang has visited the North-East to mark the opening of the region's first Automobile Association-branded workshop.

Pierre Picton, a stunt driver in the hit-film and the owner of the original mechanical car, posed for photographs at the AA Service Centre, in Arniston Retail Centre, Pity Me.

The centre is the second to open in the country following the AA's acquisition of Halford's garages last year.

AA service centre manager Bill Porter said: "It was a great day for the whole family. The kids had their photos taken with Chitty and got their faces painted, while their parents had their car checked after winter months of neglect.