AN ACTION group is hoping to find an "amicable solution" to a cycling ban at a Wrexham forest space.

The Leader reported in June how adults were banned from cycling at Maes y Pant, a 70-acre site in Gresford and Marford.

Many users of the space responded with dismay and anger but the Maes y Pant Action Group, made up of local villagers, said there had been "near misses" on footpaths as well as "environmental damage".

Trevor Britton, chairman of the group, told the Leader he and his fellow members were "looking at a way of letting the bikes back in, but in a safe way".

He has now confirmed the action group is to meet with a representative of Wrexham Council on July 30 to get safety advice on the safe use of footpaths by cyclists.

Mr Britton said: "We also have a second meeting arranged for August 3, with the guys who run the Llandegla mountain biking course and representatives of the mountain biking community here to see if we can come to an amicable solution.

"We have received quite a bit of correspondence from people who say they don't want bikes there and from people who do. "It is a very tricky situation because we have a very even split with some very passionate people.

"We have heard people's opinions, we know what the issues are. "It all comes down to making it as safe as possible."

Mr Britton said no decisions have yet been made and he intends to approach the meetings with an open mind in order to look at all potential options.

Speaking to the Leader following the ban Jon Parsonage, 34, said: "I've been using Maes y Pant for about 25 year, mainly for riding.

"Most bikers are dog walkers as well and I have never had any problems with people on bikes when I've been walking there.

"We've been trying for years to get permission to build trails for biking - there's a heck of a lot of people who want that."