In video and pictures: Hundreds in the saddle for 2015 Staffordshire Cycling Festival

The event returned to the county town last weekend and the event saw hundreds of sporting professionals pedal across Staffordshire.

Running on Friday and Saturday, July 3 and July 4, a series of both professional races and amateur events were organised for all the family providing two days of sporting fun for enthusiasts.

The headline acts were Friday night's Stafford Grand Prix and Saturday night's Stafford Kermesse.

The entertainment started on Friday with a unicycle street show and visitors got the chance to see stilt walkers take to the pedals while crowds were kept suitably refreshed by sponsors Lymestone Brewery with a beer tent in Market Square.

Next up were the under fives who took part in the Strider Balance Bike Bonanza before a ride open to the general public.

The action really started when crowds gathered to watch as professional cyclists raced for the first time in the town centre.

Friday's Stafford Grand Prix once again formed part of the British Cycling Elite Circuit Series and the Prix saw some of the country's top pro riders do battle in the second round.

On Saturday, the action moved to the grounds of Shugborough Hall. Activities began at 8am with a sportive ride which took cyclists through Tixall, Weston, Sandon, Milwich, Stone, Fulford, Bramshall, Abbots Bromley, Rugeley and Brocton.

A cycle ride for everyone took place in the day, with a variety of family activities for all abilities.

Races included two sportives, a mountain bike race, a criterium and a women's criterium and a men's kermesse.

The two sportive routes, a 35 mile and 70 mile sportive around the Cannock Chase and Staffordshire, were refreshed this year, adding new climbs and challenges for new participants and returning cyclists. Shugborough Farm hosted the mountain bike race which saw riders tackle a off-road course while the Fransecso Group Women's Grand Prix was a 50-minute race marking the sixth round of the British Cycling Women's Road Series. Closing the event was the Stafford Kermesse, a race on totally closed roads for the third year running.

The event also showcased a number of stalls to encourage beginners to find out about cycling in Staffordshire and the successful event was bigger and better this year.

Organisers were inundated with requests for late entries and provided an extra 40 places at the last minute.

Former Tour de France winner and four-time Olympic gold medallist, Sir Bradley Wiggins had delighted fans just days before the race when he announced he would join pro riders as part of Team Wiggins.

However he was forced to pull out of the race on the day because of ill health. The event was organised by Stafford-born Paul Rowlands who has worked on big cycling eventsbut wanted to organise something in his home town.

Mr Rowlands organised the first Stafford Grand Prix in 2010 and was behind this year's event. For more about the event, winners and future races visit www.ridestaffs.co.uk/