DAD Simon Thompson who helped organise a ride to promote cycle paths in Devizes was delighted with the turn out for the event on Saturday.

Mr Thompson, 41, was inspired to publicise the safe paths after his nine-year-old daughter Esme was frightened by traffic on roads around the town when they went cycling together.

He came up with the idea for the Cycle Devizes as part of National Cycle Week and at the weekend more than 100 people completed a 3.5 mile route which started and finished in Hillworth Park.

He said: "The trail was a great success with over 50 school children joining in. We now hope it could become a regular event."

Among those joining in the fun was Devizes Mayor Sarah Burton and Kate Freeman from Sustainable Devizes. Mr Thompson thanked PUSHactive from Snuff Street, Devizes for sponsoring the event.

Mr Thompson said before the event: "The idea for the event was mine, coming after I was cycling with my nine-year-old year daughter in Devizes.

"She was so frightened by traffic on the roads that she was reluctant to come with me again. I found out about the town’s cycle routes via Sustainable Devizes and having tried them, she’s much happier to go cycling with me.

"I thought publicising the routes would be a great way to get more children out on their bikes, with and without their families."

Cycle Devizes, is part of Sustainable Devizes, which promotes a range of activities to protect the environment.

Keen cyclist John Saunders, who is chairman of Sustainable Devizes, said: "“There are now many cycle routes in Devizes which are safe to use for both older and younger cyclists. We organised this event as a fun way to publicise the routes, to show that it’s possible to cycle safely with children in Devizes, and to encourage families to enjoy all the benefits of cycling."

Esme, who is a pupil at All Cannings primary, said: "Even though I'd passed my cycling proficiency test, going on main roads was still really scary. We use the bike paths now which is great, and Dad and I can now cycle together a lot more than we used to."

All cyclists under 15 who completed the trail received and goody bag and there was also a competition to win a voucher from PUSHactive.