A CYCLING sportive is taking place in County Durham on the same day a cancelled event had been scheduled for.

Velo29 is organising the event, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday – the same day as a controversial Vélo North event had been scheduled for.

The companies are not connected.

The event on Sunday will be much smaller than the proposed Vélo North and roads will not be closed.

Organisers say similar events are run all over the North, causing "zero disruption."

A spokesman for Velo29 said about 400 riders were scheduled to take place, who would set off in small groups, in intervals.

He added the event had been created for some of the disappointed local riders who had wanted to take part in Vélo North.

Routes of 50, 75 and 100 miles start and finish in Durham, and go through Teesdale and Weardale.

CSM Sport & Entertainment and Durham County Council had planned to hold Vélo North on Sunday, predicting it would attract up to 15,000 cyclists.

But it attracted opposition from people concerned about lengthy road closures and it was cancelled in July when organisers said there had not been a sufficient number of sign-ups.

Durham County Council is not involved in the Velo29 event.