A BUSINESSMAN from the Ribble Valley rode away from a conference with a new bike.

Nick Reeves, a management accountant at Preston-based AF plc, pedalled away from a Business Travelwise conference with a new mountain bike.

He said: "AF plc is a manufacturing business that delivers goods to customers.

"We have a number of representatives on the road.

"The conference was a great opportunity to find out how our business can act now to save time and money in the future.

"It was a complete surprise to win the bike."

The seminars, which attracted more than 130 delegates from Lancashire's business community, were held to showcase the work of Lancashire County Council's Business Travelwise team who can help firms and employees save money by implementing their own business travel plans.

County Coun Richard Toon, highways and transportation chairman, presented the prizes, which were donated by Alan Bate of the Liverpool Cycle Centre.

"The Business Travelwise conferences were a great success. We were lucky enough to be able to attract some first-rate speakers to pass on their specialist knowledge.

"The mountain bike competition was an added bonus," he said.

Nick is pictured (centre) receiving his mountain bike from Alan Bate (left) and County Coun Toon.