A cyclist has admitted travelling at more than double the speed limit in Richmond Park.

Rory Palmer, 42, pleaded guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court this morning to riding his bicycle at 41mph in Sawyers Hill in the royal park on January 2 this year.

The speed limit for cars and bicycles is 20mph.

He was caught by officers who were using speeding measuring devices in the park near Barn Wood, which was described busy with cars at the time.

The court heard officers saw a racing bicycle travelling from the direction of Richmond Gate which was overtaking cars.

Palmer, of Stanlake Road, Shepherds Bush, was stopped after he was found to be cycling at 41mph, to which he told officers, "I know, I'm sorry".

Mutahir Ahmed, defending, said: "Cycling is his hobby and he understands how dangerous it was. It was a windy day and he was coming down the hill. He did realise at the time he was going above 20mph but did not have a speedometer."

Palmer was fined £65, issued with a surcharge of £20 and ordered to pay costs of £65 to the Crown Prosecution Service.