CASH crusaders who hope to create an exciting outdoor sport venue at a popular tourist spot are celebrating a successful first year of the campaign.

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

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

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 existing routes which have suffered erosion in recent years.

Now the group has vowed to raise more cash and recruit volunteers so it can press ahead with phases two and three of the project.

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

The site is away from the majority of forest users to prevent conflict or disruption. The project is already attracting interest from downhill cyclists and adventure bikers from across Europe.

It was expected to stage a major downhill event in April which had to be cancelled at short notice, but is tipped as the venue for similar high- profile events in the 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.

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

* The Trailblazers recently got a £500 boost from North Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op's community dividend fund. The money will fund a trail building skills development session and buy the hardcore needed for the development.