ONE of the UK’s fastest growing and most popular Downhill Mountain Bike races will take place near Ludlow this weekend.

The Pearce Cycles Downhill Series will boast a field of over 350 competitors including juniors, veterans, first time racers and seasoned elites.

The event was first run back in 2007 and has fast become one of the most popular UK regional race series.

This year's competition is sponsored by industry leading bike manufacturers Specialized series and sold out in just one hour and three minutes.

Downhill mountain biking is a high speed extreme sport with Great British riders returning from last year’s World Championships with a large medal haul.

As well as organising races over the past 20 years, Pearce Cycles also support a race team of local up and coming riders.

These include brothers Matty and Joe Bower of Ludlow, Jamie and Zac Emmett of Hereford, youth riders Ben Swinbourne of Ludlow and Angus Melvin of Bedstone.

Pearce Cycles also support local senior riders with Jack Yapp of Snailbeach, Rob Goodey of Pembridge and Rob Hill of Cleobury Mortimer and former National Junior Champion Jonny Brain from Shrewsbury all riding for the team.

“This weekend our home track of Bringewood, part of the Forestry Commission, hosts the first race of the season," said organiser Lindsey Pearce.

The team have been busy preparing the track and arena as well as the spectator access areas

commented race organiser Lindsey Pearce. Spectators are encouraged to go along and get a taste of the action, entry is free with food and refreshments on site, plus live timing and speed traps to help entertain!

Bringewood is the first of six races for 2015 organised at venues across the Marches and Welsh borders including Kinsham, Rhyd-y-Felin, Bucknell and the final race at Hopton Woods.