A MAJOR expansion of facilities for mountain bikers is to be unveiled by TV presenter and action man Guy Martin.

The champion biker will be cutting a ribbon at Gisburn Forest tomorrow to officially open new sections of trails, a special skills area for riders to hone their technique, and a new car park and cafe.

Mr Martin has competed numerous times at the prestigious Isle of Man TT race, and presented television programmes including The Boat That Guy Built on BBC1, and How Britain Worked on Channel 4.

Activities on the day will include trails building demonstrations, as many of the singletrack sections within Gisburn have been created by enthusiastic volunteers.

There will also be the chance to sign up to a free coaching session, and a stall from Barnoldswick bicycle component manufacturer, Hope.

Martin Colledge, beat forester for Gisburn Forest, said: “We are really excited about being able to launch these great new facilities.

“Gisburn has steadily grown into one of the top destinations for mountain bikers in North West England, and these facilities will help enhance that reputation and make bikers’ visits all the more enjoyable.

“We are really pleased that Guy Martin will also be joining us as our volunteers know he is a keen mountain biker, and they said they would love him to share the day with them.”

Gisburn Forest Hub has been developed in response to the very successful introduction of new mountain bike trails in 2009.

It is mostly, but not solely, about biking. Facilities include bike trails, forest walks, reservoir walk, tramper trail, picnic sites and bird hides. The Forestry Commission, the Rural Development Programme England, and Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Electricity North West Ltd, United Utilities, Lancashire County Council and Ribble Valley Borough Council have all contributed to the project.