The Summerhill Visitor Centre, in Summerhill Lane, Hartlepool, hosted the Winter Regional BMX series event on Sunday.

Around 100 competitors took part in the event, with riders coming from clubs as far away as Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria as well as the North East.

Prizes were up for grabs in a variety of categories, with riders ranging from under-sevens up to over-40s.

Centre manager Tony Davison said he was thrilled that Summerhill was hosting the event for the second year running.

He said: "The 400m track is seen as a very unusual and challenging course and quite long and technical.

"It goes downhill, but that doesn't make it any faster as the bends, made out of earth mounds, are quite sharp.

"BMXing is clearly a very brave and skilful sport, and the riders and spectators all enjoyed it."

The event was a warm-up run for a major BMX extravaganza which will take place in June, when Summerhill will host a two-day stage of the UK BMX series.

A BMX race of this size has not been staged anywhere in North East England since 1990, and only 12 rounds of the series are held across England.

Major preparations for the event will be needed, including setting up a stand for spectators, temporary fencing, installing a PA system, putting in portable toilets, setting up a tent at the finish line and first aid cover.

Hartlepool's involvement comes in the year when BMX riding becomes an official Olympic sport at this year's Beijing games.
Around 300 to 500 riders are expected to turn up for the Hartlepool leg, which is round seven in the series and will run on June 28 and 29.