Work is to begin on building a part of the newest trail at the Forestry Commission’s Cannock Forest, near Rugeley, on 1 March, and volunteers are being sought to take part in the ‘Big Build Day’.

Led by Chase Trails volunteers, the trail building will start at 10am until 4pm and experts will be on hand to guide those new to the art of trail building. A barbecue lunch and refreshments will also be provided.

The new bike trail is part of a £200,000 project to improve the visitor facilities at the Forestry Commission’s Cannock Forest and will involve developing 8km of new singletrack, plus some new look features added to existing routes.

“Coming to a Big Build Day is a great way to get involved in trail building,” says Rob Lamb from Chase Trails. “You’ll get to learn about trail construction, meet lots of new people, enjoy a barbecue lunch in a beautiful setting and best of all, help build trails that you’ll soon be riding.

Anyone interested in supporting the project or joining the Chase Trails volunteer group should call 07966 507798 or visit www.chasetrails.co.uk.

The Project is being steered into action with the help of the Chase Trails volunteer group, cycle manufacturer – Giant UK, Swinnerton Cycles Forest Centre, Staffordshire Aggregates Levy Grant Scheme, Staffordshire County Council, the Sport England Community Investment Fund and the Forestry Commission.

Chase Trails volunteers and partners have raised over £60,000 for the project, £28,000 of which came from the Staffordshire Aggregates Levy Grant Scheme. Sport England’s West Midlands Regional Sports Board (RSB) recently awarded the initiative £130,800 from the National Lottery funded Community Investment Fund.

More at www.chasetrails.co.uk and www.forestry.gov.uk/cannockforest.