PUPILS and teachers from Keighley district were part of a county-wide cycling event, designed to encourage more young people take up this pursuit.

They participated in the 2018 Schools’ Yorkshire Tour, which was developed by twelve Yorkshire local authorities, working alongside sustainable transport charity Sustrans and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Children from seven Keighley district schools were among youngsters from 162 schools across Yorkshire riding in the cycling relay to celebrate National Bike Week.

Riders conveyed a baton 400 miles from the start in Pickering, North Yorkshire, to its final destination in Millennium Square, Leeds.

Helen Thompson, head teacher at Haworth Primary, said: "Sustrans led the session with us and they supported the cycle. The route on the day we were involved with started from Shirley Manor Primary. We were on the final leg of the day.

"During the day the riders visited nine schools, three viaducts and the infamously steep Haworth Main Street!

"We had a group of six cyclists and two members of staff who took over the baton from Lees Primary. They cycled to the bottom of Main Street, where they were joined by Oakworth Primary's team.

"The two groups made the gruelling climb up Main Street, then circled round to our school.

"The whole of Haworth Primary had made flags and gave the cyclists a heroes' welcome. We'd like to thank Ian Cullens from Sustrans for inviting us to be involved with this fantastic event."

Other local schools involved included Parkwood, Cullingworth, Eastwood and East Morton primary schools.