A COMMUNITY bike ride was held in north Durham over the weekend.

Around 50 cyclists took part in the inaugural Stanley Family Ride on Sunday.

They set off from Oakey Park and rode down the refurbished Coast to Coast route, taking them to Beamish where youngsters took part in an obstacle course and the parents were give a coffee.

Councillor Joan Nicholson, the chairman of Stanley Town Council, which were the main sponsors of the event, got things underway and stayed around to help give out t-shirts to those who completed the ride.

Colin Wilkes, one of the event organisers, said: “We were very pleased to see so many get involved in what is the first event of this kind for Stanley.

“The youngsters really enjoyed riding in the rain and splashing though the puddles on route.

“We have to say a massive ‘thank you’ to all who came along and also to the town council who helped make it possible.”

The ride was designed to ‘entry level’ riding for youngsters and adults alike who are wanting to get into social cycling and plans are already underway for another event on the same lines next year.

It uses part of the refurbished Sustrans route that skirts the north of the town.