A LEDBURY woman has been named as one of the country's top cyclists after inspiring others to take to the saddle.

Pat Strauss was named in the list after being vice chair of Cyclists' Touring Club, now called Cycling UK, and 32 years of leading cycle tours.

She started cycling in her early 20s as a way to meet other like-minded people, and it was during her time cycling she met her husband.

She said: "Cycle touring for me is a wonderful way of participating in an outdoor activity at whatever level I find comfortable, along with enjoying the social side of sharing it with others, whether travelling abroad or just down lanes near where I live.

"It makes me feel more a part of wherever I am and lets me stop where and when I like to look at something more closely and to take lots of photos, satisfying my other passion in life."

The women have all been recognised in celebration of the amazing work they have done to inspire other women to cycle as part of Cycling Women's Festival of Cycling which runs through July.

It's estimated that only a million women in the UK cycle regularly, just 3 per cent of the population, with many more bike journeys made by men than women.