CYCLISTS are being reminded they can use Darlington's pedestrianised town centre ahead of a six-month trial run.

Darlington Cycling Campaign group has asked for commuters to be able to cycle through the Pedestrian Heart as an alternative to the ring road.

During work on the £8.5m project, cyclists will be able to use the centre despite confusion after a No Cycling sign was incorrectly erected in Northgate. Once work is finished, a six-month trial will be introduced.

Campaign group secretary Mike McTimoney said: "We think we should be able to cycle through, which we think is the plan when work is finished."

He said there had never been any reported accidents between cyclists and pedestrians in the town centre.

But Darlington Association on Disability chairman Gordon Pybus said: "We are 100 per cent against cycling in the pedestrianised area. It is dangerous."

He suggested cyclists should walk their bikes through the town centre as they do on pavements.