SCORES of cyclists turned out to Bournemouth town centre last night for the final events of Bournemouth Wheels Festival.

Despite the drizzle, hardy families and youngsters brought their teddy bears to sit on the front of their bikes and grab views of the beach as they set off from Boscombe seafront.

The Bears on Bikes event saw cyclists take on a mile-long route around some of the roads in the town centre, which raised money for Round Table Children’s Wish, which supports young people with life-limiting conditions.

Mark Stapleton and children, Lenny, nine, and Bethany, five, came from Christchurch to take part in Bears on Bikes. He said: “We wanted to support the events at the Wheels Festival and it was for charity.

“We also wanted to take part in the other cycling events last night, including the Nightglow cycle ride.”

John Preest, wife Lucie, and children, Amelie, seven, and Eliott, five, also brought their bears along.

Dad John said: “We do the Sky Ride every year and it’s nice to do something with the kids, which is free. It’s also good to be outside.”

In Bournemouth town centre, 13 teams of four took on the Wheels Relay Challenge, each doing a lap of a 1.2mile set course through the streets.

Families were also due to don reflective, glow-in-the-dark and brightly lit items for the Nightglow ride, with fireworks on the seafront set to end the evening and close the Bournemouth Wheels Festival.