MORE than 200 cyclists descended on Ramsbottom recently for the North West's mountain bike festival.

Northern Grip's festival hub was in Ramsbottom Civic Hall where guests enjoyed drinks, dancing, question and answer session and films.

The idea of the festival was to celebrate mountain biking and the 250 people who attended enjoyed a series of rides around Ramsbottom and the surrounding towns in the day.

The cycle routes were a network of brand new National Trust waymarked trails on the hills above Ramsbottom that had never been officially used before.

In the day the visitors took to their bikes and later they danced the night away to local bands at the civic hall while Mr Wilson's Second Liners performed up Holcombe Hill.

As well as the entertainment there were exhibitors and a bike clinic.

One of the exhibitors was Nick Shackleton, who was promoting his business Shack Wrap.

He was impressed with the event.

He said: "It went really well the whole thing was great and a lot of people turned up.

"At first the tickets were not selling that fast but then all the tickets were sold out and they were having to turn people away.

"The highlight for me was the Sunday when 110 people turned up for the bike ride and we were all cycling up a hill that I usually cycle up myself.

"Hopefully, they will bring the event back again next year."

Organisers Northern Grip are looking in to holding another festival next year.

More information can be found online at www.northerngrip.co.uk