FLEDGLING cyclists were given expert advice on safely getting around on two wheels from two competitive sports people.

Pro-cyclists Hannah Farran and Jack Rees paid a surprise visit to a County Durham school to inspire and teach pupils the importance of safe cycling, ahead of a major annual race event this weekend.

Farran, from team Boompods, and Rees, of team Ribble, were joined by Durham County Council’s road safety team to deliver Bikeability Balance Training to Year 1 pupils at St Mary Magdalen RCVA Primary, in Seaham.

Both cyclists are from teams competing in this year’s OVO Energy Tour Series, which makes its tenth annual stop off in Durham, tomorrow, when competitors tackle the cobbled streets and contours of the city in what has become a much-anticipated test of their skill and speed.

The guest duo gave their young pupils a cycling masterclass, delivering a full school assembly showing what life is like as a professional cyclist, hoping to inspire the next generation to get on their bikes.

They then joined the five and six-year-old novices outside for their Bikeability Balance Training, where the pupils were shown the basics of safe riding.

It was followed by a series of games using balance bikes, cycles without pedals, to help teach children balancing and steering.

The instructors aim to develop the pupils’ handling and awareness skills, with some of the children progressing to pedal cycling at the end of the course.

Councillor Ossie Johnson, the council’s cabinet member for tourism, culture, leisure and rural issues, said: “The Tour Series is coming to Durham as part of #durham19, our fantastic year of culture to showcase all our county has to offer, and it helps to create unforgettable experiences for our communities.

“We hope, thanks to Hannah and Jack, the Year 1 pupils at St Mary Magdalen will feel inspired to carry on cycling, to keep up their fitness as they grow and, of course, to have fun.”

Saturday’s Tour Series visit to Durham, the fourth of seven legs round the country, begins outside Durham School, in The Grove, off Quarryheads Lane, at 2pm, culminating in the elite women’s and men’s races round the 1.4km circuit, starting at 5.30 and 7pm, respectively.

Further information is available via www.tourseries.co.uk, including the full event timetable.