THEY are risking a fine of hundreds of pounds – but it seems that many people are willing to flout the law when it comes to riding a bike in Basingstoke’s Top of The Town area.

The Gazette went along to monitor what was happening after we were alerted by concerned pedestrians.

The area is solely for pedestrians, and signs inform bike riders that they are not allowed to cycle or they could face a £500 fine. The Gazette spent an hour in Market Place to see just how many people ignored the signs.

Here are the first of The Gazette's pictures showing cyclists riding in a pedestrian area.

See our picture gallery for more http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/photographs/cyclists_top_of_the_town/

*See Thursday's Gazette to find out what some of the cyclists had to say.