Bikers in test centres protest

Protesters believe Carlisle is too far away

A protest is being held by Cumbrian bikers over plans to close motorcycle test centres in Barrow and Kendal.

They claim the 70-mile trip to a new centre planned for Carlisle is too far for riders in the south of the county.

Protesters are due to ride from Barrow to Carlisle on Sunday. The Driving Standards Agency is reducing the number of centres nationwide from 200 to 60.

It said the Barrow and Kendal centres are too small to cope with demand and a new Carlisle centre will be bigger.

Edmund Chambers, the treasurer of the Millom Bike Club, said the rally would take three hours because many learner riders on 125CC bikes were taking part and cannot ride on motorways.

The protesters have also collected around 400 signatures which they will be sending to the Driving Standards Agency.