CYCLISTS in Guisborough are set to enjoy new cycle routes and mountain bike activities, with help from Laurence Jackson School.

The school now has special sports college status and is assisting a number of forward-looking initiatives.

Young and old cyclists have formed a group, Guisborough Cycle Initiative, which includes an active section of school pupils and staff. The three pupils involved are Joel Milnes, Matthew Stuart and Philip Wells. The school is hosting its meetings and offering assistance where possible.

The cyclists hope to have designated paths and storage facilities in the town and school, and mountain bike orienteering is starting on the surrounding countryside.

Teacher Les Thomson, who is director of community sport, said support was also coming from sustainable transport campaign group, Sustrans, of which he is a member, and Redcar and Cleveland Council.

"Now that the school now has this new status, we're looking at all sorts of possibilities for health, exercise and recreation. ,We're considering cycling proficiency and awareness work, while Sustrans and the borough council are committed to developing a school travel plan," he said.

Some facilities are quite costly, he said. For example, high-quality, secure cycle storage units accommodating 40 cycles could cost £10,000.

Mountain biking was really popular, he said, and Andy Tennyson, the school's head of outdoor education, was promoting a mounting bike club with orienteering events.

Cycling was not officially on the national curriculum or part of mainstream PE activities in many schools, but numerous after-school activities were developing at Laurence Jackson.