A £180,000 scheme to create mountain bike trails through stunning scenery in the Ribble Valley has been given the go ahead.

The Forestry Commission estate at Gisburn Forest, near Clitheroe, will be transformed into one of the county’s premier biking facilities, thanks to a Sport England investment providing the final £60,000 needed for the project.

It is estimated the trails will more than double the number of visitors to the forest to around 70,000 a year.

The first phase of the project is expected to be completed this summer, as part of the Ribble Valley Sports and Physical Activity Alliance (SPAA). There will be an easy eight kilometre ‘blue’ route for families and beginners and a 22 kilometre ‘red’ course for experienced cyclists. Parts of the trail offer fine views over Stocks Reservoir and the surrounding Forest of Bowland .

Another £60,000 has been contributed by the project partners including Gisburn Forest volunteers, the Forest of Bowland, Ribble Valley Borough Council, Ribble Valley Strategic Partnership, United Utilities and the Forestry Commission, with the final £60,000 in lottery funding from Sport England.

Included will be exciting new ‘singletrack’ features, sections only wide enough for one biker, as well as downhill features.

Martin Colledge, from the Forestry Commissionm, said: “Sport England’s generosity means we can now progress with our plans.

“It will be a great opportunity for bikers to develop their skills or simply go out and have fun.” David Gent, Sport England Regional Director, said: “The demand for this kind of facility is huge and I applaud the Forestry Commission, Ribble Valley Sport and Physical Activity Alliance and all involved for seeing what a priority this is, both for the sport and the region.”

Gisburn Forest currently attracts around 30,000 visitors a year, of which 50 per cent of these are cyclists and mountain bikers.

The Forestry Commission are working towards providing opportunities for year round visits, as well as developing bridleway and quiet road links that will encourage alternative starting points by cyclists.

More information about Gisburn Forest can be found at the website below.