NEWLY-elected Haslemere county councillor Nikki Barton and Green Party MEP candidate Alexandra Phillips were among the 70-strong group taking part in a Critical Mass Cycle Ride to campaign for safer cycling routes.

Ride spokesman Alastair Bayliss said: “It was great to see so many people show up. There is a real perception that it’s quite difficult to cycle in the town, it’s quite dangerous and there are a lot of ways we can make it better and safer.”

Mrs Barton added: “Cycling is an issue really close to my heart, it’s hard in Surrey to get it moved up the agenda. Rides like these, which show how much the community wants to be able cycle more safely along with your ideas of how to make this happen, will help me in my challenge at county level to get funds for the highways improvements we need.”