A CONVOY of motorbikes, one-and-a-half miles long, will travel through County Durham today.

Police are urging motorists to be patient while about 5,000 bikers from the Motorcycle Action Group make their way from Witton Castle, near Bishop Auckland, to Newcastle for their annual rally and street march.

The cavalcade will leave the castle grounds at 11am under police escort, and turn on to the A68, making its way to Newcastle.

On its return, the biker convoy will arrive in Barley Mow at about 2pm, and travel along the A167 to Neville's Cross, where it will turn right at the A690 to Crook, and arrive at Witton Castle.

Sgt Dave Gibbs said: "We would urge motorists to be patient and not to attempt to overtake the motorcycles.

"We will be escorting them to ensure the safe passage of members of the group and to minimise disruption to motorists.