CYCLISTS young and old enjoyed an array of activities as the annual Local Motion Mega Festival took over Darlington’s market square once more.

The event, which ran from 11am until 4pm on Wednesday, August 26, and will again on Thursday, aims to promote an active lifestyle.

Activities included an open challenge to see who could set the fastest time on an electric Watt bike, a bike that produced smoothies and a pedal powered Scalextric racing track, as well as ‘Learn to Ride’ sessions for young children.

Sue Dobson, who was running the smoothie bike activity, said that it was a returning favourite.

She said: “It’s very popular, it’s fun and you get something healthy at the end of it.

“The Watt bike challenge is usually very popular as well – people tend to keep coming back to see how their score compares.

“It’s the first time we’ve had the Scalextric racing but I think we’ll see that same competition there as well.”

However, it was ‘Learn to Ride’ that proved most popular.

Joyce Maddison and her grandchildren Anna and Ruben Moorcock attended the 11.15 session – Ruben, aged five, was hoping to ride without stabilisers for the very first time.

“He’s a bit nervous,” said Ms Maddison as they waited for his turn; 15 minutes later, after taking in his instructor’s advice, he had made steady progress, cycling unaided for several feet.

Ms Maddison said: “I’m well impressed, he’s doing very well."

Georgina Burke, marketing officer for the event, was in charge of the Learn to Ride activity.

She added: “It’s very popular; it’s a pre-book activity, and it’s booked out every time.

“There are usually a couple of extra spaces though with no shows, so people can come down and ask and we can book them in or provide advice.”