THOUSANDS of pounds will be spent along one of the region's most popular cycling and walking routes.

The charity Sustrans won £48,362 from LEADER to improve the popular 174 mile Hadrian’s Cycleway, which more than 160,000 people use every year.

The new funding will allow Sustrans to install new signs to link people cycling the route, which runs from the Roman Bath House at Ravenglass to the Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum at South Shields, to nearby attractions. Interpretation boards about the surrounding area’s history and natural beauty will be installed and Sustrans will work with businesses in Cumbria to help promote the route to wider audiences.

Claire Kerrin, network development manager at Sustrans, said: “Hadrian’s Cycleway attracts thousands of visitors on bicycles each year but not all of them are aware of the attractions along the way. We will work with businesses, attractions and the local community to market their products and services directly to people travelling through the area on bikes."