ONE canny councillor got on his bike to beat the fuel blockade.

Liberal Democrat Chris Foote-Wood elected to cycle from his home in Bishop Auckland to a meeting of Wear Valley District Council, in Crook.

Coun Foote-Wood said: "I've been a keen cyclist for years. As a council, we encourage people to use bikes where possible.

"It's one of the greenest forms of transport and helps keep you fit, to boot."

Picture: ANDY LAMB