CLACKMANNAN'S award-winning community group is gearing up for its latest annual Christmas bike ride which will take place next week.

The Clackmannan Development Trust have teamed up with Pedal 4th to host the third Merry and Bright night cycle ride which will take place on Thursday, December 19.

The group's qualified instructors are volunteering their time to lead the group on a three-mile ride leaving from Clackmannan Tolbooth at 6pm.

Everyone will make their way along to Alloa Tower for 6.30pm before looping back to Clackmannan for some festive refreshments and a wee sing-song by the Christmas tree before the remaining cyclists head back to Alloa with the leaders.

This is a free, family-friendly event which will include competitions and prizes for the most "blinged up" bike and most festive cyclist - so riders are encouraged to be creative with their bikes.

Anyone interested just needs to take a bike in good working order, helmet and have front and rear working lights.

Lesley Shaw, CDT community development officer said: "We are really pleased to host this event building on the success of the previous two Merry and Bright rides.

"It's great to team up with the Pedal 4th community again – which is a NHS physiotherapy support group, for people who are experiencing/have experienced poor mental health who cycle as a method of recovery.

"The festive period can be a very joyful time for lots of people, but it can also equally be a very lonely, worrying time for others and we want to help support the work of Pedal 4th and benefits that cycling can offer to health and wellbeing.

"So let's not let the winter months be a barrier and let's get out as a group and have some fun. We would love to have more people join us this year.

"So please get in touch as we also have a limited number of bikes, lights and helmets that we can loan out for the night. If people let us know before what they need, we can help."

Anyone looking to sign up to the event can do so at https://tinyurl.com/vx4hctp, or contact Scott Bamford, active travel coordinator, on (01259) 219473.