THE sizzling strains of the blues, the throaty hum of a six-cylinder sports car and charity pedal power capped an action-packed weekend of events across the county.

More than 500 cyclists were in the saddle for the British Heart Foundation’s charity bike ride from Worcester’s Pitchcroft racecourse yesterday morning.

People were helping fight the biggest killer in the UK – heart and circulatory disease – by completing 15, 30 or 50-mile routes.

Darren Spencer, of St John’s, Worcester, and his friend Steve Hill signed up for son Zack, aged two, who was treated for multiple organ failure a year ago.

Mr Spencer, a keen cyclist, said: “My son had a heart condition as part of other problems. All the equipment used at hospital to treat him was from work done by the foundation.”

On Saturday, Worcester’s Guildhall hosted its first baby fair, with stands selling a range of goods and services for little ones.

Joanna Teague, who organised the event, said: “There’s nothing organised like this in the city, but it can be really useful to parents and for suppliers. We’re hoping to make it a regular thing.”

Hundreds of music fans flocked to the Fold at Bransford, near Worcester, when the eco-friendly venue hosted its second annual open air blues festival in the weekend sunshine Acts included the Trevor Burton Band, Mumbo Jumbo, Dirty Robbers and the Big Blues Tribe.

As well as enjoying the music, people could sip English wine and fizz, Barbourne cider and Teme Valley Brewery ales, and pop into the nearby artisan workshops.

Co-organiser Oliver Carpenter said: “We’ve had 400 people, which is great. There’s a real variety of performances. We’re hoping it will go from strength to strength.”

Historic Hartlebury Castle provided a treat for petrol heads when it hosted a Festival of Transport on Sunday. The impressive building, home to the county museum, was an excellent backdrop to four-wheelers from before 1950, with pride of place to a pair of 1920s Rolls-Royce tourers.

Also on show were Austin Sixes and Sevens, classic Jaguars including a ruby red Mark One E-Type and a 1924 full-size steam-powered road roller owned by Alan Davenport.

He got up at 7am on Sunday to guide the venerable roller to the showground on time.

He said: “It was in a barn for 30 years after being restored, then I traded in two engines for it. It can do 5mph legally, but I’ve been clocked at 11mph.”