THE green light has been given to England's most extensive network of purpose-built mountain bike trails.

The £400,000 plan to create 50km of routes in the 8,600 acre Dalby Forest, near Pickerting, has been announced by the Forestry Commission and SingletrAction, an independent local riders' organisation.

Construction work will start in July and should be completed by December, 2007.

The European Union's Objective 2 programme is providing more than £140,000 and the Forestry Commission will contribute £200,000. The rest will come from private sponsors.

Alan Eves, forest district manager, said an all-weather sustainable network was a central part of the vision for Dalby.

"Mountain biking is one of the nation's fasting-growing pastimes and these new facilities will be a massive tourist draw for people of all ages and abilities," he said. "That will mean a boost to the local economy. We have already worked-up detailed plans and done a full environmental assessment to make sure trails avoid sensitive conservation areas."

Off-road bike routes have operated in Dalby since 1997 but have become increasingly difficult to maintain and can be very muddy. "To some extent they have become a victim of their own success," said Adrian Carter of Pace Cycles, Kirkbymoorside, who has helped design the new trails.

"What's really needed is a completely new network, using natural materials to armour the track against wear and using the flow of the terrain and natural features to create a riding experience unique to Dalby."

The network has been designed in the shape of a clover leaf, allowing the route to be tackled in four sections. A fifth may be built if additional sponsorship can be secured.

Lee Owen-Stanford of SingletrAction, which has more than 50 members as far afield as Leeds, Scarborough and Guisborough, said it was terrific news for mountain bikers.

"This project will put Dalby on the map and allow it to compete with the world class routes created in Scotland and Wales," he said.

* Dalby Forest is planning two of its biggest-ever outdoor gigs.

Madness - the original nutty boys - take to the stage in the 8,600-acre beauty spot on Friday, June 24, with the Beautiful South playing the following night.

Forest gigs began in Dalby in 2001. Previous acts have included Pulp, Status Quo, Levellers and Jools Holland. Beautiful South tickets sold out in just two weeks, and Madness are also heading for a 5,000-capacity audience. A few hundred Madness tickets are still available, priced £27.50; call the box office on 01842 814612.

Organiser Paul Cody said: "These two concerts have really caught the public's imagination. The Beautiful South arrive on the back of recent sell-out tours and Madness retain all their exuberance. They are often copied, but never equalled, with a truly fabulous stage show."

Proceeds will help care for woodlands across the region.