Amateur riders have been left disappointed as a cycle race is scuppered by roadworks.

Any motorist will know the headaches that roadworks can bring to a journey.

Now, a 250-yard stretch of dug-up road has proved frustrating for amateur riders who were set to test themselves against the clock this weekend.

Roadworks at Hempton, near Fakenham, have forced a last-minute cancellation of the annual North Norfolk 100-mile Time Trial.

Organised by Norwich-based triathlon club Tri-Anglia, the event was due to take place tomorrow.

It had attracted a field of 100 cyclists from up and down the country and was due to be part of the Women's Eastern Road League.

Organisers have now decided to cancel the race due to disruption caused by the four-way traffic lights on the A1065 Raynham Road, near Fakenham Garden Centre.

Tri-Anglia chairman Paula Lee said: 'It was a real disappointment to have to cancel this event.

'A 100-mile time trial is not a common event and Tri-Anglia was especially proud to have this event in our offering this year.

'We will be back – there is no way we as a club will walk away from such a noble tradition and one that is now clearly appealing to male and female athletes.'

Attempts had been made by the club to remove the works, take a detour, shorten the route, find an alternative course or to postpone the race before the decision was made to cancel the long-established event.

Riders had planned to travel from as far as Harrogate and Banbury to take part in the three-lap race and names on the start list included course record holders Mark Arnold and Helen Eborall.

Riders have been told they will have their £9 entry fee refunded.

National Grid spokesman Antony Quarrell said: 'We are working in the road to connect a biomethane gas plant to the gas network. This will enable people to be connected to safe, reliable and green energy supplies.

'We worked closely with the local authorities to plan the work and always do what we can to deliver our work with minimal inconvenience to the local community and road users.

'Had we known about the race we would have done what we could to work around it. However we were not informed about the event.'

The work started on Sunday and is due to finish on June 12.