Organisers of the first ever Mobility Scooter Grand Prix in St Ives have hailed the event a great success.

Organisers of the first ever Mobility Scooter Grand Prix in St Ives have hailed the event a great success.

The competition took place on Saturday and was hotly-contested among the 20 competitors, who were tasked with completing a lap of a testing course as quickly as possible.

The ‘race’ used scooters from Huntingdon Shopmobility, to ensure all those taking part were on a level playing field.

Setting the pace early on was Beckie MacLellan in her mobility scooter cleverly disguised as Thomas The Tank Engine. The times gradually reduced until veteran mobility user Bob Marston set an course best, clocking just 26.31 seconds.

Bob’s time stood up to the efforts of Jacob from Needingworth and, young pretender, Jack Burt, from St Ives, to lift the trophy.

The winning trophy was donated by Terry’s Heel Bar and handed to Bob by the new mayor of St Ives, Cllr Debbie Townsend.

In the children’s scooter races, the race around Oliver Cromwell’s statue saw success for Ella Davis by several lengths. Jacob Allen won the obstacle course in a time of 11.21 seconds. Both received £20 vouchers from Skaters, in St Ives.

Five-year-old William Carlson won the special category race and donated his prize to Dreamdrops Charity at Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

The judges’ award for the best ‘pimped-up’ scooter went to Beckie MacLellan for her Thomas The Tank Engine-inspired effort.

The event was organised by St Ives Town Team to highlight the growing number of people who rely on mobility scooters and to support Huntingdon Shopmobility.

A spokesman for the team said: “There is no doubt this was a very enjoyable event and the team would like to thank Terry’s Heel Bar, Skaters of St Ives, Orchard Mobility Ltd of Fenstanton, and Chips Away for their sponsorship.

“All profit will go to Huntingdon Shopmobility and who knows perhaps this will become an annual event and we hope there will be even more interest next year.”