UPDATES on cycling statistics including the number of bicyclists and incidents between cyclists and other users are going to be made less frequent.

Darlington Borough Council's economy and environment scrutiny group has monitored a scheme to allow cycling in the town's Pedestrian Heart.

Cycling was fully permitted in the Pedestrian Heart in February 2009 following a long pilot project.

The authority's cabinet asked councillors on the scrutiny committee to check the scheme every three months.

The quarterly updates have shown an increase in cycling during the past year, as well as more pedestrian footfall.

They have also shown that there have been few incidents report to either police or council officers involving cyclists.

In the past quarter one accident was reported when a cyclist rode into the back of a car.

Two other incidents were reported to the council.

One involved cyclists who had completed the Hell of the North ride "almost knocked over" a young lady and her daughter.

The second was made by an elderly couple who complained that two young cyclists near Pease Monument had ridden so close that "a pedal touched one of them on their trouser leg".

The committee agreed to have less regular updates because of the success of the scheme.

Committee chairman councillor Dorothy Long said: "It doesn't appear we have had any issues with cycling in the town centre for a year."