ROSSENDALE and Darwen MP Jake Berry donned a helmet to try out the latest section of the East Lancashire Strategic Cycleway in his home constituency.

The Northern Powerhouse Minister joined local bike enthusiasts, walkers and horse riders, to explore the 0.6 mile-long Britannia Greenway route at Bacup on Friday.

It is a the final section of The Valley of Stone cycle path, connecting Rawtenstall to Whitworth part of the East Lancashire Cycle Network.

In addition to transforming a rough farm track into a smooth path for cyclists, the Britannia Greenway is also suitable for horse riders, walkers, runners, wheelchair users and baby buggies.

Primarily funded by Lancashire’s Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Deal fund, the overall £5.85million cycleway programme is on course to deliver 74 miles of new and improved routes across East Lancashire by 2020.

Other routes include The Weavers Wheel around Blackburn, National Cycle Network Route 6 linking Accrington to Stubbins, and the Huncoat Greenway near Accrington.

Mr Berry, said: “The East Lancashire Cycle Network is exactly the type of enabling project which the government’s growth fund is intended to support.

"It will give thousands of people access to a traffic-free network of paths to enjoy a wide range of activities, including cycling, walking and horse riding which will improve public health and reduce the impact on the environment.

“I’m immensely proud that this section of the route has opened in Rossendale, and I’m thrilled that it will be available for my constituents to enjoy for many years to come.”