CYCLING safety courses are being offered to children across the borough during the summer holidays.

The courses, run by Bury Council's road safety unit, are open to any child aged ten or over who has a roadworthy bike.

They are being staged over four half-days and at three venues across the borough: Philips Sports Centre in Whitefield, Coney Green Sports Centre in Radcliffe and at Ramsbottom Baths.

Principal road safety officer Paul Birch said: "In the summer months many youngsters are out on their bikes but unfortunately do not always have the necessary skills to deal with today's traffic.

"The courses are designed to increase youngsters' confidence and knowledge to enable them to use the roads more safely."

The cost of a course is £6 and full details are available at Bury Council's website at www.bury.gov.uk/bury/roadsafety (click on 'training') or from the road safety unit on 0161 253 5552.

The courses, all between 9.30am and 11.30am, and 1.30am and 3.30pm, are: July 25 to 28, am at Ramsbottom Pool, pm at Coney Green Sports Centre; August 1 to 4, am at Phillips Sports Centre and pm at Ramsbottom Pool; August 8 to 11, am at Coney Green Sports Centre and pm at Phillips Sports Centre;August 15 to 18, am at Philips Sports Centre and pm at Ramsbottom Pool between; August 22 to 25, am at Ramsbottom Pool and pm at Philips Sports Centre between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.