A GROUP of eager mountain bikers gathered on Saturday to improve access for visitors to the Malvern Hills.

Thirteen local riders gave their time on Saturday to clear scrub from a popular bridleway on Pinnacle Hill, on the central section of the range.

The sweeping contour path from Holy Well to the ridgeline is a popular walking and cycling route, but access was being impeded by overgrown vegetation.

The work of the volunteers has improved sight-lines along sections of the bridleway and created more passing areas for visitors.

Beck Baker, the trust's community and conservation officer, said: ‘We’d like to thank all the volunteers who gave up their Saturday morning to put something back into the hills we know and love.

"In the winter sunshine, everyone got stuck into tackling prickly gorse and broom to open up access for visitors, whether they’re on foot or on two wheels."

Over the last few years, the trust has been working with local mountain bikers on a responsible mountain biking campaign. A free walking and cycling map and guide was published last year and two of three signposted cycling routes have been installed on the hills.

"We’re looking forward to installing our third and final signposted mountain biking route, which will feature the section of bridleway that has been cleared by volunteers.

"Mountain biking is a fantastic way to enjoy the views the hills have to offer and is a great way to stay fit and healthy. Providing more information for cyclists will help riders to enjoy this shared landscape in a way that keeps them special for the future."