A MOUNTAIN bike enthusiast has taken his hobby one step further and is now teaching beginners the tricks of the trade.

Ray Mazey has enjoyed the sport for years and spends as much time as possible riding all over the country as well as through Europe.

On his travels he noticed a lack of training facilities for beginners and wanted to fill that gap.

He decided to combine his job as an engineering lecturer at Wigan and Leigh College with his passion for biking and has set up an instruction course for beginners.

The two-day training course takes place in the Rivington countryside and involves a five hours of intensive tuition per day.

Mr Mazey, of Lowton, said: "The course is suitable for complete beginners and aims to give them the confidence to go off-road biking.

"I think they will notice a vast difference after the two days. I emphasise that people should stick to their own ability, confidence will grow with experience."

Those wishing to join the course need to have their own bike and equipment, they do not need to be athletes, but two 30-minute exercise sessions a week are recommended.

There are also opportunities to join mountain biking holidays to Spain. For more information call 01942 747964 or visit www.mountainbikeinstruction.co.uk