OLYMPIC champion cyclist Steven Burke has put a new cycle track named in his honour through its paces.

The Colne track cyclist will use the Steven Burke Sports Hub, at the Swinden Playing Fields, as part of his training for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Steven, 26, was part of Great Britain’s four-man team pursuit squad that won Gold at the 2012 London Olympics.

He said: “I’m honoured for the track to have my name and I’ll be helping with some of the training sessions.

“I want to do my bit to develop the talent of kids around here. And I’ll definitely be using the track for my own training, too.”

Cycle Sport Pendle will be running the track for Pendle Council which owns the facility, to introduce a new generation of boys and girls to cycling.

Tricia Wilson from Pendle Council has been part of the team working on winning funding and developing plans for the state of the art track.

She said: “Cyclists of all abilities including beginners will be welcome to ride the track, not just Olympians.

“It’s part of a whole network of cycleways in Pendle we’ve invested in for leisure, getting to school and work.”

Peter Boast, of Cycle Sport Pendle has been pursuing the vision of a cycling hub in Pendle for the last five years.

He worked on the successful bids with Pendle Council, cycling clubs and local schools.

The new 1.1km closed road circuit has been completed thanks to £250,000 from British Cycling including lighting for the darker months and £150,000 from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund.

Pendle Council, Pendle Council’s Colne and Nelson Area Committees and the Lancashire Environment Fund contributed £150,000 for this new facility, Peter said: “It’s been a great team effort and fantastic that our vision of a wonderful hub for cycling; including coaching, racing and cycling for leisure, has become a reality.”

The track will officially open on Saturday, June 28, at 9am, where there will be an intense day of racing.