SOME of the top cyclists from around the UK will be competing in a race staged in a market town later this month.

People of all ages and abilities will be taking part in the Hambleton Road Club's cyclo cross race on Sunday, November 24.

Northallerton will host the fifth round of the sport's Yorkshire Championships, with cyclists meeting on the Stone Cross playing fields.

The cyclo cross event is being held in Northallerton in memory of local cyclist John Stevenson, who died in 1998 at the age of 71.

John lived in the town and was involved in cyclo cross for more than 30 years, organising races for Hambleton Road Club in the 1980s and 1990s.

His son, Peter, will be one of the entrants in the event.

He is a former national champion and still races regularly near his home in Belgium.

A club spokesman said: "It should be a fantastic event, so long as the track doesn't get too muddy. We hope there will be a big turn out - the more entrants the better.

"Peter is looking forward to coming back to England to take part and he is happy that the race is being held in Northallerton in his father's memory."

Entrants will ride and run the ten-mile course, which goes through park and woodland. Ranked tenth in the country, Noel Clough, from Northallerton, is hot favourite for the senior race.

Anyone wanting to enter can either turn up on the day or call Cowleys Cycles on (01609) 776656. All riders must wear a cycle helmet.