GET on yer bike this summer and check out some of Lancashire's finest countryside with the help of a fabulous new book by retired librarian Mike Hutchinson.

On Your Bike in Lancashire is packed with circular bike rides across some of the county's most picturesque landscapes including areas in Preston and South Ribble.

One of the 20 routes featured covers the southern Lancashire cycleway and Parbold, starting at the Commercial Museum in King Street, Leyland.

It concentrates on country lanes and passes through the picturesque villages of Croston and Mawdesley, near Leyland, and returns via the neighbouring villages of Eccleston and Heskin.

Other interesting routes take in the Ribble Valley and Longridge Fell, with breathtaking scenery. And two routes start in Garstang, near Preston, taking cyclists on pathways around Beacon Fell and the Fylde coast, near Blackpool.

Bike enthusiast Mike certainly knows his stuff and is currently the secretary of the Lancaster section of the Cyclists' Touring Club. His book shows an ideal way to discover the countryside while staying fit and healthy. There are plenty of local beauty spots to see along the way and the author describes the terrain for each route.

Mike said: "Lancashire is a great county for cycling and on any one of the rides you will see plenty of cyclists enjoying the fresh air and exercise, and exploring the glorious countryside."

All the rides are between 16 or 23 miles long and are suitable for experienced cyclists and novice riders.

So peddle your way to some great Lancashire beauty spots with the help of the helpful glossy guide, which features lots of colour photographs of places to visit, and priced £8.95. On Your Bike in Lancashire is published by Countryside Books and available from most bookshops.