WEST DORSET MP Oliver Letwin got on his bike as he visited a shop in Poundbury.

He paid a visit to Cyclelife Electric Wessex in Bridport Road to check out the range of electric bikes that are proving popular among local residents and helping more people get out and about.

The store was officially opened in September last year and is the Raleigh UK’s first exclusively electric bike shop, offering a range of electric road bikes and a new range of electric mountain bikes.

Owner Peter Claxton welcomed Mr Letwin to the store and invited him to test out one of the electric bikes on offer.

Mr Letwin also spoke to one of the store’s customers, Robert Webster, and chatter about cycling in West Dorset, the health benefits associated with cycling and other long term benefits.

Mr Claston said: “Dorset is obviously a great place to ride bikes with great dedicated cycle routes, quiet country lanes and beautiful views to enjoy.

“Electric bikes of course allow all abilities to go further and higher than normal, unassisted bikes.”

Mr Claxton said he had sold a large number of electric bikes to older people who were rediscovering the joy of cycling, known as ‘silver cyclers’/

He added that Mr Letwin showed a genuine interested in the bikes as a keen cyclist himself, although the MP admitted his use of the bike was largely for commuting rather than pleasure.

Mr Letwin described the electric bikes on offer at CycleLife Electric Wessex as ‘fantastic technology’.

He added: “These electric-assisted bikes provide a wonderful way of stretching old limbs without over-stretching them.”

The politician is not the first notable visitor to the Poundbury store.

In November Prince Charles dropped in to speak about its range of electric bikes and accessories.

On that occasion Mr Claxton had offered the Prince of Wales the opportunity the chance to try out one of the bikes but the weather was too bad to head out.