ONE of Europe's great mountain bike races is coming to the North-East.

Kielder Water Forest and Park in Northumberland will host one the Saab Salomon Avalanche Trophy 2008 from May 17 to 18.

It is the first time the event has been held in England and 350 professional and amateur riders will take part.

The 155,000 acres Forestry wood will host the second leg in a five stage Euro-competition. Other exotic venues include Alpe D'Huez in the French Alps and Brixen in the Italian Tyrolean mountains.

Riders from the North-East are now being invited to join the ranks of Europe's elite and take their place on the starting line-up.

Forestry Commission Recreation and Tourism Manager Alex MacLennan said: "This really is a massive feather in the cap for everyone in Kielder Water and Forest Park.

"It will bring thousands of people into the area and really put us on the map as a prime European recreational venue."

Kielder was chosen to host the prestigious event thanks to the new 300,000 Deadwater mountain bike trail, which was unveiled last Autumn.

A project of the Kielder Trail Reavers, Kielder Partnership and the Forestry Commission, it is the highest trail of its kind anywhere in England, peaking at 2,000 feet (600 metres).

Riders will compete in time trials using Deadwater's black and red sections.

Events get underway at 9am both days with a top prize of a brand new Saab car for the rider topping the list after this year's pan-Europe competition.

Making it an even bigger bike weekend in Kielder, off road fans are also being invited to join a Border Raid into Scotland.

Taking place on May 17 and sponsored by the Kielder Bike Place, it is part of this year's Bike Place Marathon Series.

To register for the Kielder leg of the Avalanche Trophy 2008 go to www.avalanchetrophy.com.