A fundraiser was knocked down by a hit and run cyclist while on a sponsored walk along the Skipton canal towpath.

Hundreds of people turned up for the Leeds to Skipton walk for the British Heart Foundation on Sunday.

But organisers say the otherwise happy and successful event was marred by rogue cyclists hurtling along the towpaths at breakneck speeds.

The woman who was knocked to the ground suffered a broken wrist and had to be taken to Steeton's Airedale Hospital for treatment.

Tony Doveston, regional director for the British Heart Foundation, said: "We were hampered by the number of cyclists on the towpath and one of them caused the injury on this middle aged lady who was knocked down very badly.

"She had to go off to hospital while the person who did it simply rode off. It was a boy with his family.

"He came along behind her noiselessly and spun her around, causing her to fall to the ground. I suppose it was a hit and run really.

"The lady was very distressed. The amount of cyclists on the path was worse than ever and the majority of them are inexperienced.

"I will be writing to British Waterways to ask what they can do to enforce the ban on bikes more strongly."

Apart from the cycling incidents the Leeds-Skipton event was a great fundraising success, with more walkers than any previous years.

Mr Doveston added: "We were delighted with the response from the Skipton end of the walk this year."

No-one was available for comment from the local British Waterways office.

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