Construction work has started on a cycling track which promises to bring great opportunities to Carlisle and the wider county.

Wearing high visibility jackets and hard hats, city and county councillors and representatives from British Cycling marked the first day of work on the new cycle circuit at Harraby Community Campus, off Edgehill Road.

The £650,000 circuit will be 1km long and 6m wide with a tarmac surface. People of all ages and abilities will be able to use the track for training, leisure and competing.

Lots of people across Cumbria are excited about the project, which is being led by Carlisle City Council working in partnership with Cumbria County Council and British Cycling.

Colin Glover, leader of the city council, said: "It's brilliant to see it coming to fruition. We have put a lot of effort into our sports strategy and working with our partners.

"It's the first of its kind in Cumbria. It's a real boost for the area and shows our commitment to cycling."

The closest circuit tracks like the one currently being built in Carlisle are in Lancaster and Middlesbrough. Colin Humphreys, national development manager at British Cycling, said they had been aware facilities were lacking in Cumbria for a while.

He said: "We want this to be a catalyst for bringing more people into cycling and also developing opportunities for young people."

Dedicated British Cycling coaches and staff will do outreach projects in local schools to encourage young people to start cycling.

Mr Humphreys said at other similar facilities across the country there are events going on every day. As well as cycling, people can use the track for running, rollerblading and other activities.

He said: "It's not just riding round the circuit here. It acts as a catalyst to bring the community together."

Border City Wheelers (BCW) are particularly excited about the potential the new track will have, as it finally gives serious cyclists a safe place with no cars where they can train.

David Rawle, of BCW, said: "It's something that we have been waiting a lot of years for - since I've been in Carlisle which is 20-odd years. To see it finally taking shape is fantastic."

Building work will take about seven months to complete and is being undertaken by VMC Developments Ltd. When finished, the circuit will be lit and fenced with designated spectator areas.

The circuit is largely being funded by Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council with some additional funding coming from British Cycling.

Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council, said: "It's a really exciting development as part of the wider Harraby Campus but it's particularly exciting to get British Cycling on board because they will base some of their resources in Cumbria, in terms of coaches and staff who can encourage people to take up cycling.

"It's a very good way of encouraging people to exercise."