Essex County Council (ECC) has published the findings of a consultation that aims to shape the legacy use of Hadleigh Farm, which will host the 2012 Olympic mountain bike event.

The majority (90 per cent) of those who responded said cycling was either "quite important" or "very important" to the site's future, along with general visitor facilities (87 per cent).

Meanwhile, residents said it was important that the temporary mountain bike course was both retained and developed after the Games for a wide range of potential user groups.

ECC cabinet member for education and the 2012 Games Stephen Castle said: "The people of Essex are keen to maintain the mountain bike course and open the venue up to the wider pubic for a number of different uses."