A SERIES of guided cycle rides will be held in Tavistock this summer as part of Devon County Council's leisure ride programme in cycle hub towns.

The rides will be held in all of the county's five hub towns through July and August with the first one in Tavistock on July 24, starting from the car park outside Meadowlands Pool at 3pm.

Led by National Standard Qualified Instructors each ride will take around one and a half to two hours.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: 'These leisure rides are a good opportunity for people to enjoy a cycle in our five hub towns, whether they are keen cyclists, new to cycling or getting re-acquainted with their bike after leaving it in the shed for years.

'We saw how the recent cycle fun days in these towns attracted a range of people to have a go at cycling.

'The fact that these rides are with a group, led by guided instructors, can help those who may otherwise not be confident enough to tackle a cycle on their own, and hopefully it will encourage people to get out on their bikes more regularly.'

There is no need to book to join any of the rides, simply turn up at the designated meeting point at the specified time and date.

Bike hire is available, free of charge, but this must be booked in advance by calling 0845 155 1004 or emailing [email protected]">[email protected]

All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

The rides are part of Devon County Council's campaign to promote leisure cycling. The county council has been awarded a £2- million grant from Cycling England to see if leisure cycling encourages more people to cycle more often.

There will be other cycle rides in Tavistock on July 31, August 11, 18 and 28.