HAMSTERLEY Forest is one of the most treasured beauty spots in our region, loved by tourists, naturalists and walkers.

In recent years, it has become an increasingly popular destination for mountain-bikers, who enjoy the twists, turns, hills and fresh country air.

Our front page today tells how the mountain-bikers have been placed in grave danger by mindless idiots who set a rope trap at the bottom of a fast run at Descend Hamsterley.

The rope was strung between two trees about 3ft off the ground and clearly designed to harm a mountain- biker.

One man rode into the trap at the weekend and is lucky that he was not seriously injured as he was thrown from his bike.

The frozen conditions meant that he was not going as fast as usual or we might easily be reporting a tragedy today.

A substantial reward is being offered for information leading to the capture of those responsible for this unbelievably reckless act.

We urge anyone who knows anything about the culprits to call Durham Police’s non-emergency line on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

The good name of Hamsterley Forest, as a safe, peaceful and beautiful place to visit, has been tarnished – and lives put at risk.