POLICE have released shocking footage of near misses between cyclists and cars in Cheshire.

The video shows vehicles overtaking bikes with inches to spare and pulling out in front of bicycles on the county’s roads.

Another clip sees a tractor nearly smashing into a biker head-on on a narrow country lane.

Cheshire Police has released the footage in a plea to motorists to be aware of cyclists while they are behind the wheel.

A force spokesman said: “The safety of these cyclists is put at risk by other road users.

“Being overtaken by a car can be stressful – only overtake if it will not compromise the safety of the cyclist or other road users.

“Careless driving kills.”