Southend Wheelers are holding a week-long series of free woman friendly cycling events starting on Saturday and culminating in a seven-mile woman friendly time trial on June 17.

All rides are for mixed abilities, with most including a coffee stop, and anyone under the age of 18 must have their parent accompanying them.

There is something for everyone and anyone interested is urged to come along and join in.

The first event on Saturday starts at 8.30am from a meeting point at Chalkwell Shelter (SS0 8HW) and will involve a relaxed 25-30 mile ride along the seafront and Barling.

A relaxed ride around local roads, ideal for novice cyclists, followed on Sunday, from Canewdon Village Hall (SS4 3PG) at 9.30am, with Monday's event starting at Chalkwell Park car park (SS0 8NL) at 6.30pm and covering a relaxed 15-20 mile ride along the seafront.

Rettendon Village Hall car park (CM3 8DP) is the meeting point at 9.30am on Tuesday June 13, with a relaxed 15-20 mile ride around Hanningfield reservoir.

And there is also an evening 15-20 mile ride from 6pm that day on local roads starting out from Rochford Square (SS4 1BW)

Chalkwell Park car park is the meeting point again on Wednesday (10am) for a 15-20 mile ride along the seafront and Barling, with cyclists heading off from Rochford Square at 10am on Thursday.

An off-road ride of around two hours will start from Belfairs Woodland Centre (SS9 4LR) at 6.30pm on June 15, with the time trial two days later using the Shepherd and Dog pub (SS4 2DA) as a meeting point from 8.15am, for a 9am start.

This will cost £4.50 on the day and entrants must wear a helmet and have working front and rear lights for this event.

Organisers advise that cyclists wear a helmet while taking part in all rides, bring a drink and have a spare inner tube.

Those interested can email membership@southendwheelers.org for more details or visit website https://www.southendwheelers.org/womenfriendlyrides

*All events are free, except the time trial which will cost £4.50, and are specifically aimed at introducing women to cycling, with male partners welcome to join in.