A CANADIAN couple who are cycling from Edinburgh to Oxford declared Selby Abbey to be "beautiful" when they stopped off for a visit en route.

Richard and Mavis King, from Calgary, set off from Edinburgh on June 29.

They are slowly making their way southwards to arrive in Oxford on July 18.

After visiting Berwick-on-Tweed and Newcastle, the couple cycled through the middle of the North York Moors before spending a few days in York and then travelling to Selby.

Mavis, 59, said: "The moors were a real challenge for me - and a real work out! York was lovely and on Sunday we managed to attend Evensong at the Minster."

Richard's first cycling holiday in Britain was in 1957 at the age of 17 and he has been returning ever since.

"It is just such a wonderful place to come to," he said.

"I find your drivers quite tolerant of cyclists and it is an ideal place to cycle because there is so much to see in such a small area."

Richard said his favourite place to visit had been Wales, the Brecon Beacons in particular, although Yorkshire was also lovely.

"We are looking forward to checking out Selby Abbey - it's a beautiful building."

The couple are planning to tackle the Transpennine Cycle Route on the next part of their journey.

Updated: 12:39 Wednesday, July 09, 2003