A CYCLE path running alongside the North Wiltshire rivers route is near completion.

The route will continue the existing path from Mortimer's Wood, just south of Pewsham Way in Chippenham, and will take in Reybridge and Lacock.

It forms a 20-mile stretch of the national cycle network, which currently provides 6,500 miles of cycling and walking routes throughout the UK.

By 2005 this will be extended to 10,000 miles.

The section of the North Wiltshire rivers route between Chippenham and Avebury is now complete.

It is proving popular among cyclists and walkers looking to travel out of Chippenham and Calne and into the countryside.

The section running from Mortimer's Wood parallel with Pewsham Way to Pewsham Locks is also complete.

Work on the section from there, following the canal towpath to Reybridge, will start shortly and should be completed by August. From Reybridge there are good cycle links to Bath, Bristol and Gloucestershire.

There are several technical studies going oninto restoring routes around Swindon and Cricklade.

It is hoped that after the £80m allocation of funds towards the restoration of the Thames and Severn canal, the Wilts and Berks will be next on the list.