THE DAILY Echo has got on its bike to hail its unsung heroes.

About 100 newspaper delivery boys and girls - and Hampshire newsagents - crowded into Sega Park in Bargate to take part in the first Daily Echo Team Challenge.

First prize on offer was a mountain bike donated by the gaming giant as well as a second prize of vouchers for free entry to the centre.

The competition was part of the Daily Echo's big "thank-you" to its unsung heroes who deliver copies of your favourite newspaper to the Southampton and Hampshire areas every day, come rain or shine.

The Daily Echo was helped by Sega Park and Megabowl in Millbrook who each staged competitions as part of the event.

At Megabowl, delivery boys and girls also took part in a bowling competition with even the lowest scoring youngster winning a personalised set of skittles.

At Sega Park, teenagers took part in a "Daytona" racing game with the quickest time round the course being declared the winner.

During the event, teams also took part in further rounds of Daytona. The winners were presented with the Daily Echo Challenge Cup.

All youngsters who came along to Thursday's event also got the chance to play on Sega games for free.

McDonalds also provided 100 free meals for hungry youngsters who took part in the competition.

And all competitors were given free cinema tickets by Imax.

Results: Mountain Bike winner, Richard Brooks from Hythe D D Newsagents. Runner-up Stuart Griffiths from Bridge Stationers. Megabowl Challenge winner: Jack Oliver D D. Newsagents, Runner-up, Mark Alpin from Savages. The Daily Echo Team Challenge Cup. Winners: Steven Chapman and Darren Parnell from Newsmart. Runner-up team (medal to each) Millbrook D/D. Jason Crowley, Tarl Whitfield and Andy Havill.