A CYCLING guide around Winsford and Whitegate has been published as part of Cheshire County Council's ongoing development of two-wheeled travel.

The Weaver Wanderer, an 11-mile journey on and off road tracks in the area, is one of three new leaflets exploring the heart of Cheshire, and comes as the council's management service responds to increasing demands for cycling guides.

They are aimed at casual riders and are ideal for family trips out, particularly the Weaver Wanderer, with its shorter distance.

Attractions on the route include the Weaver Navigation, used to carry salt for export all over the world, and the views along the old railway line in Whitegate Way.

The other two new guides are Crosses and Crossbars, a 21-mile route of the picturesque lanes around Sandbach, and Crossroads around Congleton, a more challenging ride which climbs Bosley Cloud for splendid views of the Cheshire Plain.

Launching the three leaflets, Cty Clr David Newton said: "We are very keen to encourage cycling through Cheshire's beautiful scenery and these publications help to give some good directions both in terms of what to see and how to find a way there.

"As both the Congleton and Sandbach routes start at the railway stations, they are ideal for a car-free day out - all we need now is some beautiful late summer and early autumn weather."

The leaflets are free of charge and available from local libraries or from Cheshire County Council's management services on 0151 327 2084.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.