A KEEN cyclist has proved himself king of the road by winning a regional event.

Richard King, 25, of Darlington, was victorious in the North-East Divisional Road Race Championship after a gruelling contest in Northumberland.

His triumph, achieved in a race with 50 other riders, followed closely his winning performance in the four-day Tour of the Border race in the same area.

The Teesside University student, who is working as a physiotherapy assistant at Darlington's Woodlands Hospital, now has his sights set even higher.

He will be competing at a national championships event in Birmingham next week.

"That's the one I'm really hoping to win and I'm training hard for it," said Mr King.