THOUSANDS of visitors rolled into Southend this weekend as the town celebrated all forms of the wheel at the Festival of Wheels event.

All things wheel-related were explored at the event, from super cars to classic cars, wheelchair dancers to daredevil BMX displays - if it moved on wheels then it made an appearance in the festival, which took over the heart of the high street and the seafront from 11am to 5pm yesterday.

Southend Business Improvement District, known as BID, is the driving force behind the festival, which was the first of its kind in the area.

Highlights of the festival included displays of two, three and four-wheeled vehicles, urban sports stunts from Team Extreme, motorbike stunt demonstrations from stunt artists known as Two Brothers Racing, remote-controlled vehicles and performances by wheelchair dancers.

There was also plenty of opportunities to try out different types of wheeled machinery.

Cycling clubs were also on hand to advise visitors on how to get more from riding their bike - perhaps by riding as part of a group - and offered advice on how to start racing.

The event coincided with Drive It Day so clubs and enthusiasts were encouraged to attend and create a pageant of power - from bicycles to cars, scooters to charabancs - as they headed to a display area.