CELEBRATIONS and charity events proved an attraction for all ages right across the area over the weekend.

In York, sporty staff at Marks & Spencer used pedal power to help them raise £880 for the national Sport Relief appeal at the Parliament Street store.

Two exercise bikes, loaned by York's Barbican Centre, were set up at the top of the first-floor escalators before the store opened on Saturday and a timetable was drawn up so they were occupied all day.

Organiser and ladies' wear section manager Deborah Gammon said each volunteer pledged to spend a sponsored half-hour on the bikes and collecting boxes were put out around the store to try to collect as much cash as possible.

One employee, Lee Wilson, even got his two sons to have a ride, as he was not feeling fit enough - so Josh, ten, and Connor, seven, each cycled for 15 minutes.

Deborah said: "We had 27 people taking part from all departments and we had a running total displayed all day.

"Sometimes even customers jumped on and had a cycle too. It was a really good day."

Yesterday, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides took part in a fun day to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

The event involved girls from the Manor Division of North Yorkshire and was held at Oaken Grove Primary School at Haxby, York.

It included a parade of Queens and a Commonwealth Games event, which featured welly-throwing.

At the same time, crowds gathered in Rowntree Park, York, to celebrate the park's 81st birthday with music, stalls, food and entertainers.

Partygoers were encouraged to take a cycle rickshaw to yesterday's event, which was organised by City of York Council.

York Model Boat Club sailed boats on the pond in the park, and a shield was presented to club member Steve Agar for the best boat in the show, Alice Rose, which is based on plans for a French fishing boat.

At Barmby Moor, Emmerdale stars helped boost fundraising efforts when they played a charity football match at this year's Feast.

Almost 1,000 people turned up for the feast on Saturday to watch Barmby Moor Football Club beat the stars of Emmerdale 4-2.

The celebrities, including Ben Freeman, who plays Scott Windsor, mingled with the crowds and signed autographs before the game.

At Crayke, near Easingwold, a wheelbarrow formation display team - The Red Barrows - entertained gala crowds. The Red Barrows, made up of six men from the village who formed the unit and trained for the occasion with the help of a National Lottery grant, were hailed a success after their first public performance.

At Pickering the streets were packed as visitors turned out for this year's carnival. The sun also came out as the procession of floats wound its way to the carnival field and then paraded through the town on Saturday.

Updated: 14:46 Monday, July 15, 2002