Devon is to become an international cycling holiday destination thanks to new cycling tourism connections with France.

Local councils in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset will be working with French councils in Brittany and Normandy to create a new network of cross channel cycling routes.

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Devon County Council has received European funding from the Cross Channel Cycle Project to develop the Drake's Trail cycle route between Tavistock and Plymouth with the construction of Gem Bridge at Grenofen. Gem Bridge will provide traffic free access from Plymouth to Dartmoor National Park, linking Horrabridge, Yelverton and Plymouth to Tavistock and Grenofen, while offering spectacular views of Dartmoor and the Walkham Valley.

French authorities are working with ferry companies to encourage ferry use for cycling. In future, there may be free carriage of bicycles on cross Channel ferries, giving Westcountry locals a great excuse to get on our bikes and see our neighbouring counties in France.

Devon County Councillor William Mumford said: "Attracting visitors for cycling holidays, from home and abroad, is a great way to support local businesses, and this additional funding from the EU will help us continue to raise the profile of Devon as a holiday destination. It also makes sense to be working closely with our neighbours in Brittany, who are only half as far away as London."