AN UNDERCOVER police cyclist will be out on the roads of County Durham and Cleveland as part of a campaign to reduce deaths on two wheels.

On Monday Durham Police will join a two-week national campaign to raise awareness of bikers and cyclists.

Throughout the campaign, there will be operations involving an unmarked police cyclist who will be identifying drivers who pass carelessly or dangerously.

The operation, named Operation Close Pass, will offer an educational input, or a fixed penalty notice and penalty points to drivers found to be driving too closely to cyclists.

Officers from the motorcycle unit will also be running BikeSafe sessions, which cover a number of skills and techniques to help bikers become better riders.

Inspector Jon Curtis, from Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit, said: "Through this campaign, we hope to educate and raise awareness of the dangers they face to avoid as many tragedies as possible."