CYCLING superstar Sir Bradley Wiggins has declared Rivington Pike as his favourite place to cycle.

The Olympic gold medalist and Tour de France winner said the 1,191 foot summit was his favourite spot to ride on two wheels during his spot as guest editor of the Today programme on Radio 4 this week.

Sir Bradley lives inEuxton, Chorley, and often uses the pike to train when he is at home.

To mark Sir Bradley's decision, presenter Andy Kershaw visited Rivington Pike for the show.

The Rochdale born DJ spoke to Cameron Lee, who set up a website about Rivington Pike four years ago, aged 15.

The website lists walks, bike rides, photos and other information about Rivington and its surrounding area.

Rivington Pike has been recorded as far back as 1325 as Rovyng, and as Rivenpike in about 1540.

Mr Lee said: The place is too good not to capture an essence of online.

"Despite how big it is and how many people it is available to, it feels very personal as a place. It feels like to something to you, not just to you.

"It is also a community thing. It has united the people of Lancashire, while giving you something on a personal level.

"When you are coming home from holiday, especially at night, you see the big mast on top of Winter Hill, and as you draw closer you see the tower on top of the pike, you know you're home."

The popularity of the pike was highlighted when the pair spotted Manchester based wedding band Live Piano Experience filming a music video, having dragged up a piano and drum kit up the pike.

They also bumped into Leigh MP Andy Burnham, who was enjoying a day away from politics with his family.

Explaining why he loves Rivington Pike, he said: "It's the North West, it's wondrous! It's home, wherever I go in my constituency I can see this place."

Mr Lee added: "It's very popular all the time, every day there is people here. I once saw someone sledging down the site even when there was no snow on the hill!

"It just shows the broad variety of people attracted to Rivington Pike."

As part of his spot on the show, the London raised cyclist spoke to fashion designer Sir Paul Smith about his love of all things suave, as well as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn about his love of cycling.