Motor off to Workington and Paint the Town Red

Car and motoring enthusiasts can feast on a action-fuelled day out on Saturday, August 30, as the West Cumbrian town of Workington lays on the inaugural Paint the Town Red event.

Comedian and actor, Ricky Tomlinson, will kick proceedings off at 10.15 am, starting an opening parade featuring a motorcade of vehicles, including the "Workington Job¹ Mini. This will be accompanied by marching and carnival bands, setting the tone for the wonderful jamboree being laid on by a new-look town that has enjoyed a massive face-lift over the last few years.

The day-long action will be based around three main areas: the town centre and stage, Curwen Park and Vulcan Park.

The two parks will be the major draw for car nuts. Malcolm Wilson¹s M Sport rally car will be on show in Vulcan Park to 4pm, as will vehicles from the Cars of the Stars museum in Keswick. These include Herbie from The Love Bug movie, Postman Pat¹s van and the deLorean used in Back to the Future. A range of vintage vehicles will also be on show and there will be a Go Kart display for those loving this style of motor sport.

At the Curwen Centre, in Curwen Park, motoring fans can take in 4.5 hours of fabulous stunt driving, from 12 noon onwards, as the amazing Russ Swift makes the Workington Job Mini do all sorts of unbelievable things.

This motor-based action will be complemented with a massive programme of activity. The Curwen Park and Curwen Centre zone will have a Jennings beer sampling tent, bird of prey displays, twenty Made in Cumbria stalls, barbecues, a magic act, cookery demonstrations, food stalls and daytime fireworks at around 4pm.

Curwen Park will also host a Red Raw Talent Contest, in which singers and other performers will have a chance to shine.

Vulcan Park has all day performances from the Band of the King¹s Division, junior activities arranged by the Fire Brigade, a hog roast and army games including paintballing.

In the town centre, various acts will perform at the main stage, including Jimmy James Soul Explosion and Irresistible - a 40s style trio who performed in the final stages of Britain¹s Got Talent.

Ricky Tomlinson will be speaking about his writing, at The Carnegie Theatre, at midday, before signing copies of his book at the Derwent Bookshop, in Finkle Street, at 12.30pm. He will also award prizes to winners of a Paint the Town Red photographic competition.

The day also includes a football tournament, Football Legends with former footballer, Phil Neale, the Shoot the O football game, courtesy of sponsor E.ON Climate and Renewables and an appearance by Postman Pat, for younger visitors.

All of this is free entertainment, with venues and exact timings for each detailed at paintthetownred.co.uk Free parking and free park and ride services are available on the day, providing even more reason to motor off to Workington on August 30.