The National Forest Company (NFC) and the Forestry Commission have confirmed that the £1.5m National Forest Cycle Centre is to open at Hicks Lodge near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, on 1 June.

Purple Mountain has been appointed to run the complex, which features a visitor centre and 8 miles (12.9km) of off-road cycling trails. A café and a play area have also been created. The glass and timber visitor centre has been designed to incorporate eco-friendly technology, such as a wood chip boiler, solar water heating and rainwater recycling.

Pick Everard provided architectural, engineering, quantity surveying and BREEAM and CDM consultancy services on the scheme, which will be complete ahead of the half-term school holidays. NFC project co-ordinator Alan Leather said: "The centre is going to be a great way to introduce families and beginners to easy, fun cycling in a beautiful environment.

"Youngsters will be able to learn to ride, practise their skills or even get started on racing, while families can enjoy the surfaced trails and explore the attractive woodlands."