Engineering consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff - in conjunction with design company Back on Track - have secured a £250,000 contract to create mountain bike trails in South Wales.

The consultancy has been selected to design and manage the scheme, which is being led by Forestry Commission Wales in partnership with two local authorities. A total of £915,000 will be invested in new mountain bike trails in Afan Forest Park and in Cwmcarn, with the latest contract to run until March 2013.

Some of the new trails at Afan Forest Park will be green/blue graded for beginner mountain bikers, while Cwmcarn will receive a new downhill facility. Gordon Andrews, head of economic development at Neath Port Talbot Council, said: "This substantial investment will improve what South Wales has to offer as a tourism destination and attract visitors to the area, which will boost our local economy."