The Zona Moller skills area was opened in Crawshawbooth by WAVE Adventure and saw 300 people come down to the area to put their skills to the test.

It gives riders of all abilities the chance to develop the techniques required to ride competently ride on tracks around the Rossendale Valley.

Graham Wood, founder of WAVE Adventure, said: “This has been a fantastic collaborative project, involving over 70 local volunteers who have been involved in designing and building the skills site.

A new mountain bike skills area has been opened in Crawshawbooth(Image: WAVE Adventure)

“We have listened to young people who have told us what they would like the site to be like, and they have volunteered, many getting their whole families involved.

“We were overwhelmed by the positive response from riders and families of all ages who attended the opening event.

“We hope to obtain more funding to continue to develop and maintain this fantastic facility over the next five plus year. We hope it will be well used and looked after by all visitors.”

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WAVE Adventure will use the site, along with programmes at their main base in The Bunker, Waterfoot, to run skills and training sessions, but added it is open for the public to enjoy too.

The company said the design of the skills area has been woman-led, built according to how women and girl learn and develop good technique – something they say is different to how trails and pump tracks are usually installed.

The skills area gets people ready to ride on trails around the Rossendale Valley(Image: WAVE Adventure)

Benches and a picnic bench have also been installed at the site so people can relax and enjoy the space with amazing views across the valley.

Andy MacNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, attended the opening earlier this month and said: “I had a great time riding my bike around the WAVE Adventure bike skills area at the opening event.

“This is a fantastic new asset for Rossendale and I encourage everyone to come along and have a go.”

The skills area can be found off Goodshaw Lane in Crawshawbooth.