THE roads of Poole town centre were awash with youngsters as they proudly showed of their skills in the annual borough safe-cycling contest for schoolchildren.

More than 300 boys and girls aged over nine participated in the event - each of them having passed the national cycling proficiency test before that day on October 14, 1979.

The first job was to check their bikes in slow riding and emergency braking before they set off from Poole Park on a three-mile course, returning to the Civic Centre.

Observers marked their performances as they competed as both individuals and as teams.

The scores were calculated at a later date and bicycles were awarded as a prize to the best junior and senior cyclists.