SOME of Britian's most elite cyclists had to battle snowstorms for the second year running as they headed to the district this weekend.

The opening day of the Tour of Reservoir, held in and around the villages of Blanchland and Edmundbyers, was disrupted by snow and hail with cyclists struggling against the elements.

The women's race was reduced by two laps, while the men's race was delayed to allow for the worse of the weather to subside.

Full report in this week's Hexham Courant.