A SERIES of free guided bike rides will be a chance to explore Southampton and get fit over the summer.

The Sky Ride Local rides will begin on June 7 and will take place over the next two months as part of a national cycling and fitness campaign.

They will take in different themes and explore different parts of the city, and have been organised after it was announced the popular SkyRide mass cycling event will return to Southampton for a sixth time.

The huge event, which will see thousands of people of all cycling abilities take in routes running past some of the city's best-loved landmarks, will take place on July 19.

Last year 11,000 people ranging from biking beginners and fancy dress-wearers to cycling fanatics rode along the 7.8km route.

The series of guided rides have been organised by British Cycling, Sky and the city council and will kick off with a route starting at the Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre on The Common on June 7.

The family-friendly, seven-mile route will take in The Common, Portswood and Highfield.

Nine more rides will take place between June 14 and August 2, exploring the city's parks, waterways and wildlife.

After June 7 the next ride will set off from Redbridge Train Station at 10am on June 14 and take in parts of the New Forest in a 14-mile long route.

A three-mile route takes in Southampton's central parks after starting from Guildhall Square at 2pm on June 21, before a 12-mile long route starts at the Peace Fountain in Andrews Park at 10am on July 5 and makes its way through Riverside Park to the Itchen Valley Country Park and back.

Council environment and transport chief Jacqui Rayment said: "The fantastic partnership between the council’s My Journey initiative, British Cycling and Sky is extremely important as it allows us to offer our residents an opportunity to get out on their bikes more in their free time, meet like-minded people and rediscover the city on two wheels.”

Stewart Kellett, British Cycling’s director of recreation and partnerships, said: “What better way to get some exercise, get outdoors and see your area in a new way than to join some of the themed Sky Ride Local bike rides taking place in and around Southampton this summer.

“The rides begin on June 7, so there’s no time like the present to get your bike out. Whether you want to build your cycling confidence or already comfortable on a bike and looking for a challenge, now’s the time to register your free place on a Sky Ride Local bike ride in Southampton."

For more information on the rides go to www.goskyride.com/Southampton