ORGANISERS of Swindon's biggest off-road cycling event are hoping to attract 1,000 entrants this year.

The 10th Great Ridgeway Ride takes place on June 2 across 25 miles of scenic bridleways.

It is the first ride for two years after last June's event was cancelled because of the foot and mouth restrictions.

Organiser Roger Hayes said that he hopes that people will use it as an excuse to get back out into the countryside.

He said: "The object is to encourage as many people as possible to get out on their bikes for the day and have fun in the beautiful countryside which surrounds Swindon.

"Since foot and mouth I've noticed that people aren't going back into the countryside. Hopefully the ride will give people a good excuse to get out and enjoy our lovely country-side again."

Mr Hayes, who has been organising the event since it started, said: "I used to organise many cycle-racing events, then mountain biking became popular and I organised this ride because I knew we were fortunate to have the Ridgeway on our doorstep."

The 6,000-year-old Ridgeway track runs from Overton Hill to Ivinghoe Beacon in Bucking-hamshire. It is thought to be the oldest road in Europe.

The ride starts and finishes at the Croft Sports Centre on Marlborough Lane and 80 per cent of it takes place off-road so mountain bikes are required. The full course is 25 miles but there are also 18 and nine-mile options for the less adventurous.

The course goes on and off the Ridgeway which passes four miles to the south of Swindon.

Entry forms are available from the Croft Sports Centre, on Marlborough Lane, and from Mitchell Cycles in Swindon. The ride costs £4 to enter.

Alternatively contact Roger Hayes on 826375.

Over the last decade the Great Ridgeway Ride has raised over £100,000 for charity.

This year 12 charities will benefit including the Wiltshire Blind Association, Headway Brain Injury Charity, Macmillan Cancer Relief and the Stroke Association.