A new £1.25m project is being launched in the Peak District National Park to attract leisure and commuting cyclists.

Cycling England - the independent body funded by the Department of Transport - is funding the scheme, which aims to build new cycling trails around the park and improve existing ones.

It also intends to encourage families to go cycling regularly as a leisure activity, to educate the public about the health benefits of cycling, to give commuters and visitors an alternative to the car and to help reduce congestion and pollution.

The project will be managed by the Peak District National Park Authority.

Director of operations, Richard Campen, said: "The national park is a huge asset and this project gives us a real opportunity to develop a generation of cyclists who cycle regularly, with all the health benefits that brings.

"There are lots of potential opportunities to extend the proposed scheme by working with public transport providers and local authorities in neighbouring urban areas. We would be interested in talking to anyone with serious ideas about projects that could be developed."