FORMER Sunderland MP and Government minister, Chris Mullin, was in the Allen Valleys on Friday to road-test one of a fleet of electric bikes available for hire in the North Pennines.

The journalist and author, who is also chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund North-East was joined by Ivor Crowther, the fund’s regional director, and the pair hired cycles from Allendale Post Office – one of 11 hire points in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The bikes are served by 16 electric charge points, 10 of which are in Tynedale, as well as well as Stanhope, Hamsterley and Middleton-in-Teesdale, and ensure cyclists can discover the landscape on two wheels.

“We have worked very closely with the Heritage Lottery Fund on the conservation and enhancement of the AONB,” said Jon Charlton, programme development manager for the AONB Partnership.

“The visit was to look at some of the investment there has been over the last 10 years.”

The partnership has launched a £1.7m scheme to help conserve and protect the landscape of the Allen Valleys, thanks to a multi-million pound grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which includes the North Pennines Electric Bike Network.

Powered by a battery, it gives the rider added power to their pedalling with a small electric motor offering increased speeds and support going uphill, and is aimed at boosting eco travel tourism.