A £30,000 offroad cycling track has opened in a historic park.

The ‘pump tack’ has been built at Bacup’s Stubbylee Park for mountain bike and BMX riders to develop their skills.

The route is made up of continuous humps and banked turns which allow users to whizz round at high speeds.

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It was funded by Lancashire Environmental Fund, Newground Together, Bacup Pride and Rossendale Council.

More than 150 riders turned out to its grand unveiling, with all ages and biker experiences taking part.

Lorcan Moriarty, landscape architect at Newground, said he was pleased with the final results.

He said: “We’ve worked closely with the council, community groups and the wider community over the last 12 months to get to this point.

“It is an amazing facility and we were so pleased by the turn out at the official opening.

“It’s clear that the pump track is a hit and it’s another example of the fantastic projects Newground delivers and is involved with.”

Rochdale-based Dirtworks, which has completed a number of similar ventures in the area, was enlisted to carry out the initiative.

The sports track is part of Rossendale Council’s masterplan to rejuvenate the park.

Other proposals include a working kitchen to support a cafe, with volunteering opportunities being offered at the nearby Stubbylee Community Greenhouses.

Cycling support and training will be available for those who want to use the track.

Liz Harris, from the Friends of Stubbylee Park community group, said: “It was such a pleasure seeing so many people in the park enjoying themselves.

“I’m really looking forward to the next phases of the masterplan development.” The first pump track cycling weekly session will take place on Wednesday, April 12, from 10am to 1pm. A biking workshop will take place on April 13, from 10am at the Stubbylee Annex.