IT was a nail-biting sprint to the line, but pedal power triumphed.

Mirfield Mayor Clr Martyn Bolt had thrown down a bike versus bus challenge in a protest at the size of Kirklees Council's newly-formed Agbrigg area committee.

The committee covers villages in the Denby Dale, Kirkburton and Mirfield areas.

Clr Bolt said it was quicker to get from one end of Agbrigg to the other on a bike than a bus.

And last night the keen Mirfield cyclist was proved right on the route from Upper Cumberworth to Mirfield.

He crossed the line after 12 miles and 50 minutes, punching the air in victory.

But Clr Jim Dodds - who had taken up the challenge to take the bus - took 55 minutes for his 15 miles.

A rather sweaty Clr Bolt then went to the area committee.

The Examiner reported last month that Clr Bolt wanted to prove how difficult it would be for people to go to meetings in Mirfield if they lived in Denby Dale, and vice versa.

Clr Bolt said: "We were both racing seriously.

"Because no-one in the Kirklees Cabinet would take up the challenge Clr Dodds said he would - even though he is against the Agbrigg area committee as well.

"When I asked him I picked the wrong man. He took it very seriously - and even did a dry run to find out exactly where he could make up precious seconds."

Clr Dodds took the quickest route on buses from the starting line in Upper Cumberworth to the finish in Mirfield.

It meant changing buses in Waterloo, where he had just two minutes to make his connection.

Clr Bolt added: "We have a had a bit of fun, but the point has been made clear.

"The Agbrigg area committee covers too large an area. It is the size of a small parliamentary constituency.

"My concern is that people will not be able to come to the meetings and have their say.

"Politics should be done in public and the worry is that it won't be. I will be keeping a very close eye on the cost of running Agbrigg and the level of attendance compared to last year.

"If it does not work the council Cabinet needs to seriously consider making some changes."