VISITORS at a North-East museum will be able to learn to ride a penny farthing this weekend as one of a range of pedal-powered inventions and contraptions on display.

Beamish Museum, near Chester-le-Street, is gearing up its first ever Pedal and Bus Power event on Saturday and Sunday, signalling the start of the Great North Festival of Transport.

People can ride on buses from the 1940s and 1950s, see cycles from the Friends of Beamish and Veteran Cycle Club and watch cycle maintenance demonstrations from Steel Town Cycles.

A new speedway ride is also set to be unveiled at the fairground.

Paul Foster, the museum’s historic events officer, said: “We’re really excited for our new event, taking place this weekend.

“The museum will be alive with all things pedal-powered, from amazing cycles to fascinating machinery, and we’ll be welcoming some brilliant buses from the 1940s and 1950s. You’ll never tyre of all the amazing activities.

“Pedal and Bus Power promises to be a fantastic weekend and a great way to launch our Great North Festival of Transport 2018.”

The festival continues with the Great War Steam Fair, from April 5 to 8, followed by Horses at War, from April from 13 to 15.