WORK has been completed on the first phase of a BMX project for riders in Pendle and Burnley at the Steven Burke Sports Hub.

Campaigners have seen a skills track installed inside the velodrome at the Swinden site, with help from East Lancashire clinical commissioners and commercial backers Carillion and Settle Quarries, which supplied the base stone for free.

The Lancashire Telegraph first revealed the proposals for a £130,000 facility in July 2015, as the brainchild of enthusiasts Andy McGee and Manny Bashah, and the Olympic gold medallist and Cycle Sport Pendle have endorsed the initiative.

Their efforts have also been showcased at the Colne Grand Prix and when the Aviva Tour of Britain came to Pendle last year.

Supporters will now redouble their efforts to ensure the main pump track, which would also be situated beside the hub's cycle way, can proceed.

A Cycle Sport Pendle spokesman said: "The funding also covered the purchase of 10 BMX bikes and approximately 10 coaching courses for Cycle Sport Pendle volunteers.

"This will ensure off-road and BMX session delivery can commence, in readiness for the larger Pump track at the Steven Burke Hub when funding is secured."

Councillors have been told that a £30,000 bid has been lodged with the Lancashire Environmental Fund and £10,000 is being sought from Newground, formerly known as Groundworks.

Other contributions already secured included an indicative £10,000 from the Bradley Big Local fund, £2,000 each from Barrowford and Nelson area committees and £6,000 from Pendle Council and Cycle Sport Pendle.

East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group's grant, totalling £9,595, came as part of the organisation's Prescription for Wellbeing programme.

Kieron Roberts, the council's neighbourhood services manager, said in a report: "We intend to submit a further funding application to Sport England’s Community Asset Fund in early 2017.

"The hub has been recognised as a 'centre of excellence' in the joint bid to the Department of Transport’s Access Fund between Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen for East Lancashire.

"Pendle is a partner local authority within this bid which potentially could bring significant active and public transport investment in to East Lancashire."