The West Midland's first purpose-built cross country mountain bike route has been unveiled at Cannock Chase in Staffordshire.

The seven- mile trail through the 8,700 acre beauty spot has been created for riders while protecting sensitive terrain elsewhere in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Its completion also coincides with the launch of a Forestry Commission healthpush called Active Woods, backed by the British Heart Foundation, to encourage more people to visit woods across the country.

The route is the first to be built by Chase Trails, a group of local enthusiasts working in partnership with Swinnerton Cycles and the Forestry Commission.

Georgina High, recreational ranger at the Forestry Commission, said: "Building the route has taken two years and is an enormous achievement, especially on the part of volunteers who have invested thousands of hours of hard labour.

"With over one million people visiting each year, such trails will allow us to balance the needs of all woodland users, ensuring bikers can enjoy high quality rides away from sensitive sites. And of course, it gives people chance to put into practise our Active Woods message that a few hours in the saddle can take years off your life."

The trail is the brainchild of Gary Galpin, from Milford, near Stafford, and Stuart Tite, from Rugeley, who formed Chase Trails and recruited a small army of like-minded enthusiasts to help them build the route.