Drivers claim short car journeys turned into a "white knuckle ride" as thousands of cyclists on a charity jaunt were routed along country lanes.

Almost 3,000 cyclists turned out for the 54-mile London to Southend bike ride at the weekend for the British Heart Foundation.

But drivers using the same route claimed some riders were travelling around blind corners four-abreast, while others were wobbling into the path of on-coming motorists. A few bikes had no brakes at all and riders were using their feet to stop, say onlookers.

Wendy Nield, of Rochford Hall Close, Rochford, said: "Bikes are an excellent way to get around and environmentally friendly, but what I witnessed on Sunday afternoon makes me think they can be lethal.

"The 15-minute drive from Battles-bridge to Rochford turned into a fifty minute white knuckle ride."

Motorist Barry Lewis was out with his wife and two children in the car when he ran into difficulties. He said: "The cyclists were giving up their own valued time for charity, for which we thank them.

"But they were endangering the lives of other motorists and themselves with constant zig-zagging.

No-one from Bike Events, the company which co-ordinated the ride, was available for comment.

Laurie Reynolds, secretary of the South-end and Surrounds Cycle Campaign, said: "There may have been a handful of riders who might not have been as considerate as others, but they were all raising money for good causes and that should be appreciated."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.