Tour of North cycle race cancelled

This year's P&O Tour of the North cycle race at Easter has been cancelled because of the unseasonal weather in Northern Ireland.

Organisers have said the decision to cancel the race - which was due to celebrate its 50th anniversary this year - had been taken “with great regret”.

A statement from the organisers said: “The majority of the race route is passable but some sections are under 15 feet of snow.

“Race Organisers had hoped for a thaw in time for the race to start, but looking at the temperatures for the coming week, there seems little chance of conditions improving.

“Many households and businesses are without power and water. The emergency services are stretched dealing with incidents and adding an International Cycle Race into the mix would be irresponsible.”

Two stages of the event had been due to take place in the Ballymena borough.

Race Organisers are considering a postponement until later in the year and a full announcement will be made in due course.