A mass ride with about 90 participants launched a new cycle route between Bradford on Avon and Lower South Wraxall.

The cyclists set out on the maiden ride from St Laurence School, in Ashley Road, and finished at the Long Arms, Lower South Wraxall, where MP Duncan Hames was waiting to greet them.

The three-mile route, which links Bradford on Avon to surrounding villages, was formally opened by members of the Natural Theatre Company.

The event organiser, Deputy Mayor and town councillor John Potter, of John’s Bikes, said: “It went really well.

“We had a large group of people trying out the new cycle route.

“I originally thought we’d have about 50 people, but it was great to see a lot more than that come down.”

Representatives of Brad-ford on Avon Town Council also attended the launch and got on their bikes to try out the new route.

Cllr Potter said: “It was fantastic to get the support of the town council and Duncan Hames. We really appreciated it.

“The day was a huge success and I was really impressed by the Longs Arms, who were really accommodating to the cyclists. They did us proud.”

The new South Wraxall route, which takes 10 minutes to travel along, runs between St Laurence School, past the Dog and Fox, through Little Ashley, past Cumberwell Golf Course and through the bridle path into South Wraxall, along the MacMillan Way.

The cycle route is intended to provide commuters with a much safer route on foot or on bike, avoiding the busy Leigh Park crossroads and the B3109.

It is hoped it will also prove useful to pupils of St Laurence as they travel to and from school during busy periods of the day.