AMBITIOUS plans for four new bike routes - costing nearly £6million - are set to become a lasting legacy to crown East Lancashire's 'summer of cycling'.

Cycling chiefs and civic leaders have heralded the initiative, which is gearing up as Ribble Valley and Pendle prepare to host a stage of the Tour of Britain.

One of the most expansive projects, The Weaver's Wheel, will see a 26km circular route, criss-crossing Blackburn and linking with neighbouring Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, established by engineers.

And another will connect historic landmarks through Rossendale's 'Valley of Stone', including no fewer than 10 quarries, related mills and eight surviving moorland tramways which served the industry.

Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council had found £3.25million for the initiative and the remainder was approved by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership this week.

Other routes pencilled in are the Huncoat Greenway and the Accrington to Ramsbottom section of the National Cycle Network Route, mainly following the old railway line between the areas.

Cllr Alyson Barnes, the Rossendale Council leader who has led the bid on behalf of the county authorities, has welcomed the final piece in the funding jigsaw for the scheme.

Cllr Barnes said: "This is really good news and another step closer to making this a reality. This council has worked hard with our partners to make sure this area hugely benefits from these investments."

Leisure chiefs in the Rossendale valley hope that their routes will tie in with the popular Adrenaline Gateway at Lee Quarry, near Bacup.

"It will be a big boost to this borough. It will be good for commuters who cycle to work, it will good for tourism as it will show off some of most beautiful areas we have in Rossendale," added Cllr Barnes.

Kevin and Vicky Riddehough, founder members of the Young Weavers group, an activities group backed by Blackburn Connect, are also supportive of the programme.

He said: "The Weaver's Wheel offers safe off-road travel with recognised crossing points to many schools around our borough, and hopefully it will help reduce parents needing to make the car journeys at peak times, in turn reducing our carbon footprints."