Falmouth's new bike track at Trescobeas is already proving a huge hit with BMX and mountain bikers from across the town who are desperate to try out the new facilities.

Trescobeas Park, which has been funded by Falmouth Town Council, boasts one of the best tracks of its kind in the south west.The pump track was officially opened by local councillor David Saunby and consists a looped trail of smooth dirt mounds for cycling around at speed without pedalling. It gets its name from the pumping motion used by cyclists when traversing the track.

Mr Saunby, who has been the driving force behind the project, is delighted with the response from the town's youngsters. "The kids couldn't wait to get on it," he said. "They all lined up ready to go, it was like a grand prix. We had about 40 there at the opening but by the end of the day there was easily more than a hundred that had been through it.

"The day started with the younger ones, aged about 11 to 12, the later in the afternoon, the older ones came and had a go. Since then I have been down there every day and it is being really well used and those I have spoken to are delighted with it."

The opening day had a party-feel as members of LLAMA, the Lambs Lane and Ashfield Members Association, spent the night before preparing and cooking food which was then handed out on the day by Sheila and Bob Rollison. Nearby Sainsbury's provided the drinks for the event.

The town council funded the project and provided labour from among its workforce. The materials were provided locally and members of red watch from Falmouth Fire Station were among the first on site on opening day and helped out by damping down the track. "It has been a real community project which benefits the whole town," said Mr Saunby.