A popular annual bike ride through west Dorset is to return this summer.

The Great Dorset Bike Ride will take place this year on Sunday, June 4.

The 50 mile ride is free for everyone and there is no registration fee.

The course starts and finishes at Top o’ Town car park in Dorchester and travels on a circuit of roughly 50 miles to Arne and back.

It has traditionally been organised by West Dorset Cycling Club (WDC).

Tony Dobbs, WDC chairman, said: “We are really hoping we can rejuvenate this social event.

"It is totally free and not a race. Everyone can go at their own pace. Traditionally, there is a charitable collection and this year we are collecting for humanitarian support for Ukraine."

The event was first held in 1979 and has been staged every year since.

In recent years COVID has restricted numbers considerably, though many cyclists still turned up and rode the route despite no promotion or advertising.

Details can be found on the WDC website including a route map and a gpx file.

You can find them at www.cyclinguk.org/group/post/2023-great-dorset-bike-ride