IT is normally associated with motor racing.

But on Sunday, Castle Combe Circuit will host pedal power at its finest, thanks to the efforts of an Old Town couple.

Anne Bennett, 47, and her husband Neil Martyn, 51, have organised the first round of the British Human Power Club (BHPC) race series, which will see all kinds of weird and wonderful bikes, trikes and pedal cars hurtling around the track in one of the Wiltshire venue's most spectacular races of the season.

And Anne is hoping the Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) event will encourage more people in Swindon and Wiltshire to get involved in one of the wackiest hobbies around.

"This is the first time we have organised the Castle Combe race, which is the first race of the season, and the series goes all around the UK," she explained.

"Neil and I got involved in recumbent bikes a few years ago and it was so much fun we soon joined the BHPC club.

"Neil actually rides his bike to the Great Western Hospital, where he works as a lung function technician, but we tend to ride them out in the countryside in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.

"We don't go for speed, we just go out for enjoyment and I feel like Dennis Hopper in Easy Rider when I'm riding my bike."

Most HPVs are recumbents with some kind of shell and many are home built.

"My husband and I bought our bikes off eBay, but some people get a lot of fun out of designing and building them," said Anne, who works at the Pinehurst People's Centre.

"They can look weird and wonderful and some of the home builds look quite eccentric, but they can reach some speed."

Some HPV bikes can achieve speeds of 40mph, due to their streamlined bodywork and it is the combination of their sleek design and velocity, which makes the races such a spectacle.

"Castle Combe is a killer race because you are riding for two hours non-stop," added Anne.

"It is always very windy, but it is a nice big track and it should produce a really good race.

"I have cycled since I was a little kid, but I wouldn't go back to normal bikes after riding a recumbent," said Anne.

"It is so much fun and children can join in the races if they are 10 or over it is all about enjoyment.

"But there is a competitive element to the races and the bikes are so fast. We are actually banned from taking part in the Tour de France!"

This Sunday's race at Castle Combe starts at 11am and all HPV riders are welcome to take part.

Entry costs £10 for non-BHPC members, £7 for members and entry for spectators is free.

For more information call Anne or Neil on 01793 638606 or log onto www.bhpc.org.uk