THE organisers of the Wiggle Bitter Beast cycle ride which was due to take place on Remembrance Sunday have decided to cancel the event following pressure from police and local authorities.

It comes after former Merchant Navy member Malcolm Shakesby called for the Wiggle Bitter Beast event through Purbeck and Dorset to be postponed, calling it "inappropriate" for such a poignant day.

He claimed that it could result in thousands of cyclists riding through Remembrance parades and services on Sunday, November 13.

Last night a spokesman from the organisation confirmed that a decision had been made to cancel the ride.

A statement said: “It has come to our attention that many of the small villages within the Purbeck region are holding formal and informal Remembrance Sunday parades and services, which could affect our event.

"We have an obligation to respect the activities of the local communities we operate in and as such have made the decision to cancel this event following recommendations from the police and local authorities, despite our best efforts to find a solution.

"We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause."

Dorset county and Purbeck district councillor Peter Wharf has welcomed the decision.

"It would have been entirely wrong for the event to go ahead on Remembrance Sunday," he said.

"I'm so pleased that the event organisers have decided to cancel it. I think they realised it would not have been a very popular decision had they chosen to go ahead with the ride.

"I also think this was a really good example of inter agency working. Police, county, district and parish councils all worked together to achieve this result and it has worked out great."

Some 200 riders were signed up to take part in the event which was due to leave Norden Park and Ride at 8.30am on the Sunday morning. Riders had the choice between a 39 or 69-mile route which would travel through the Purbeck and Dorset countryside, including dozens of towns and villages such as Swanage, Lulworth, Puddletown, Moreton and Wool.

Wiggle has also said that any riders signed up for the event can either transfer their ride to any 2016 or 2017 Wiggle Super Series event or they can claim a refund.

Riders are asked to email enquiries@ukcyclingevents.co.uk by Sunday, November 20.

For more details about other Wiggle rides go to ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/wiggle.