HUNDREDS of shoppers stopped in their tracks to climb inside race cars in Yate Shopping Centre.


Team Blast Motorsports racing team, in conjunction with their sponsors, Abrahams Jewellers and Castle Combe circuit, brought two race cars to the shopping centre on Saturday, April 18, giving shoppers and visitors a unique chance to get close to, and inside, real race cars.


Hundreds of people, including youngsters and their parents, posed inside the cars for photographs, brought in by the racing team who are based in the town.


Abraham's Jewellers, based in the shopping centre, were in attendance to promote the fact that they are celebrating 70 years in business and Castle Combe circuit were also on hand to bring attention to all the race days, action day, and experiences available at the nearby race track.


Chris Hignell, from Team Blast Motorsports, said: "The team is based close by to the centre and we have all local sponsors, it all came together nicely that we would do this in the shopping centre.


"We had hundreds and hundreds of people come along and sit in the racing cars, an experience most people rarely get to do, and we were able to promote the jewellers' 70 years in business.


"It was a fantastic day for all concerned and great to see all the enthusiasm of all the youngsters who were able to sit in a sports racing car for the first time.


"It was hugely popular and successful and we hope to do it again next year."


Richard Abrahams, from Abraham's Jewellers, said: "It was a really good day for us to show that we are a local family business that has been going for 70 years now.


"This is our first year of sponsoring the racing team and would definitely be interested in taking part in a similar event again.


"We held a raffle on the day, offering people the chance to win jewellery and watches and many more prizes as part of the celebrations which will continue to run until October, so people can come into the store and still apply."