THE region could soon have its own Tour de Durham, thanks to a new network of cycle routes.

Cyclepath signs are going up all over the county's coastal plain, to mark the final phase of seven new cycle-ways.

Completion of the routes is expected by the end of this month, and a launch will take place in spring.

Funded by Durham County Council, the Countryside Agency, the European Union and the Millennium Commission, the £600,000 cycleways offer a an environmentally- friendly way to see the County Durham coastline.

The cyclepaths is one of the schemes created by the Turning the Tide partnership, which to date has completed almost 100 environmental and community projects along 18km of what was once the UK's most neglected coastline.

Project leader Ray Leonard said: "These cyclepaths are an excellent recreational facility, both for the people who live along the Durham coast and for visitors to the region. Although the weather right now is not great, after Father Christmas visits it will be the ideal testing ground for new bikes."

Turning the Tide has already built 19km of cycle track, running between Ryhope and Hart via Shotton Colliery and Wingate.