CYCLING enthusiasts seeking to create an outdoor sport venue to attract hundreds of competitors and spectators to a popular tourist spot are celebrating a successful first year of fundraising.

Plans to develop a series of mountain bike trails and adventure runs in Hamsterley Forest are on track with £28,000 raised in the past 12 months.

The dedicated army of enthusiasts, known as Hamsterley Trailblazers, has already repaired 800 metres of track for mountain bike riders.

Now the group, working with Forest Enterprise and ranger Robin Lofthouse, is looking to move into the first full stage of the redevelopment.

The initial money will be spent at grassroots level, with the building of a skills area for people of all riding abilities to develop their talent and confidence.

A wobble route will be created for young children and beginners to start off-road riding in a safe and structured manner.

Some of the money is needed to continue repairing routes that have suffered significant erosion over recent years.

Despite their first year success, the group has vowed to raise more money and recruit more volunteers so it can press ahead with phases two and three of the project.

This will include the creation of a stacked loop trail network at the western end of the forest, using the natural woodland and moorland features to design a daredevil route.

The site is away from areas used by the majority of forest visitors, in order to avoid conflict or disruption.

Even before the project has been completed it is attracting interest from downhill cyclists and adventure bikers from across Europe.

The site was expected to host a downhill event in April which had to be cancelled at short notice, but is tipped to host similar high-profile events in future.

Group secretary Vicky Chilcott said: "We are extremely delighted about this exciting development.

"We can finally start to make our vision come to life and, hopefully, attract many cyclists to the forest.

"One of our primary aims is not just to raise the profile of the forest, but also to boost the local economy."

To become a Hamsterley Trailblazer volunteer, and receive a membership package including discounts, visit www.hamsterley-trailblazers.co.uk.

Funding and support for the project has come from County Durham Environmental Trust, Forest Enterprise, Teesdale and Wear Valley District Councils, the Co-op, the Chestnut Fund and Teesdale Targeted Wards.