AN ever-growing sport looks set to become an annual feature in the region after a competition was hailed a success.

Mountainboarding, which merges snowboarding with mountain biking, returned to Spectrum Leisure Centre, in Willington, on Saturday, for the first round of the Rhythm X series.

About 20 riders took part with world champion Matt Brind taking first postition ahead of James Wanklyn in second and Andy Brind, in third.

Racer Craig Coulson who supported organisers Scott Leadbitter and Leon Dove, said: “It was absolutely fantastic, completely to plan.

“This was round one. We are putting on five events up and down the country.

“Willington is one of our favourite tracks, we will definitely be back each year. More and more people are getting into it so it is just going to grow.”