A new photography competition, designed to encourage more women to cycle, is challenging perceptions that cycling ruins appearance.

Bicycle Belles was organised by Lambeth council to prove women can cycle and still be stylish.

It follows a survey by Cycling England which showed that fear of ‘helmet hair’ and getting sweaty put many women off cycling.

The competition attracted dozens of entries and the best images will be used in a calendar. Cllr Sally Prentice, Lambeth’s cabinet member for environment, said: ‘These fantastic photos prove beyond doubt that you can cycle and be stylish.’ Daniel Norwood took the winning shot of Brixton cyclist Toni Peters.