PENDLE Council is hoping the borough's economy will receive a massive boost with the opening of the Pennine Cycleway -- the longest national cycleway in Britain -- at the weekend.

The cycleway is 375 miles long and stretches from Derby to Berwick-upon-Tweed, passing through Pendle via Colne, Brierfield, Nelson, Barrowford and Barnoldswick.

The route through Pendle is also linked to other National Cycle Network routes, including the Trans Pennine Trail and the Coast 2 Coast.

To mark the opening of the completed Pennine Cycleway, 50 cyclists will do an inaugural ride through Pendle tomorrow.

They will camp in Colne that evening and then enjoy a civic reception in Alkincoats Park on Sunday morning, which will be hosted by Pendle's Deputy Mayor, Councillor Dorothy Lord.

The riders will enjoy a breakfast provided by Pendle Council before they are bidden a safe onward journey to Ingleton.

Mike Williams, Pendle Council's tourism officer, said: "The opening of the completed Pennine Cycleway will give a great boost to Pendle's economy from increased tourism.

"It is now up to Pendle and its partners to promote the route as much as possible among cyclists in order for the area to reap the rewards. The first stage of this is ensuring facilities like accommodation along the route are cyclist-friendly so that Pendle's welcome for riders is first class."

Stephen Lax, chairman of the Colne Cycle Campaign, who will join the riders on the Colne to Ingelton section, said: "Colne Cycle Campaign aims to encourage and improve cycling facilities in Pendle. The Pennine Cycleway will help this by putting Pendle on the cycling map."

The Pennine Cycleway involves a partnership of over 30 local authorities and other bodies, including the Countryside Agency and the whole project is being co-ordinated by Sustrans.

Chris Wilding, of Pendle Council, said: "£250,000 has been invested into cycling facilities throughout Pendle, including the Pennine Cycleway, to accommodate riders who want to enjoying cycling through and within the borough.

"This substantial sum of money has been provided by East Lancashire Regional Park, Lancashire County Council, Sustrans and Pendle Borough Council."

John Grimshaw, director of Sustrans, a national charity promoting sustainable transport, said: "We hope that the Pennine Cycleway will rival the Coast 2 Coast Route, which more than 15,000 people complete each year. It is estimated that cycle tourists spend up to £40 a day on things such as accommodation and refreshments. If the Pennine Cycleway is

successful, it will bring in about £500,000 into the local economy."