A SCHOOL'S cycling club is poised to get on track after lengthy delays to the start of a BMX track.

Oakhill College in Whalley secured a £4,600 grant from the Lottery Commission to fund the work and after receiving a donation of stone from Castle Cement's Ribblesdale Works, near Clitheroe, everything looked set to go ahead smoothly.

But poor weather at the start of the year caused initial delays, with the foot and mouth outbreak dealing another blow, as the school had given permission for a local farmer to graze his sheep in the field where the BMX tracks was to be built.

Now, Oakhill College's head of history Charles Jepson, who helps with the club, has been given the green light to complete the track.

"It has been very frustrating because we had the lottery funding in place and Castle Cement very kindly stepped in to donate the stone.

"We were only a few days from completing the track when the Government slapped a prohibition order on the field," he said.

Paying tribute to Castle Cement staff, Mr Jepson said: "They have been very supportive, not just on the BMX track, but on various other projects the school has been involved with. Their help has been invaluable."

"The track is part of a cycling initiative, which goes throughout the school, and all pupils will be able to benefit from this," he added.

Keith Hall, quarry manager at Castle Cement's Ribblesdale works said: "We are always keen to support projects in the community, particularly when they involve schools and colleges.

"This is a project many youngsters will gain pleasure from and we are delighted to hear it is nearing fruition."