Mountain bike 'mecca' funds found

The region has a growing reputation as a mountain bike venue

A £1m cash injection has been lined up in a bid to ensure southern Scotland remains a "mecca for mountain biking".

The public sector organisations behind the 7stanes project in the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway have agreed another three-year support deal.

The main aim of the funding is to help develop businesses associated with the outdoor sport.

Environment Minister Mike Russell said the scheme had been a "major success" in building Scotland's image worldwide.

The 7stanes is a series of mountain bike trails dotted across the south of Scotland.

MAIN AIMS OF THE THREE-YEAR FUNDING DEAL Support associated businesses Encourage new competitions Increase business participation Maintain and improve trails Enhance community involvement

They are at Glentrool, Kirroughtree, Dalbeattie, Mabie, Ae, Glentress and Newcastleton.

Mr Russell welcomed the decision to keep funding the project.

"The continuation of this successful public and private sector partnership will not only reinforce Scotland's reputation in the sport but will bring wider benefits to business and communities alike," he said.

Next year is an important one for the region as the World Mountain Biking Conference is due to be held in Dumfries.

The project hopes to use that opportunity to further boost its national and international profile.

Earlier this year a research report commissioned by Forestry Commission Scotland showed the 7stanes had increased tourist spending in the area by £9m in 2007.

Visitor numbers to the trail centres area have more than doubled since 2004 rising to 400,000-a-year.

It has been estimated it has created the equivalent of 205 full-time jobs.