Riders sweat it out at Llandegla Forest

Llandegla Forest and Visitor Centre - the first in the UK to be accredited by the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) - was opened by Assembly Member Tamsin Dunwoody.

The centre is one of the largest privately-owned recreation facilities in north Wales.

It now boasts more than 30km of new graded trails for cyclists and walkers.

Tamsin Dunwoody, deputy minister for environment, planning and countryside, officially opened the centre on Thursday.

She said: "This purpose-built centre will help the area capitalise on the growing interest in walking and mountain biking.

"As well as helping improve our health this activity is changing people's views on forests."

She added: "The way in which the forest is being managed is a good example of how to balance the harvesting of the trees, with the conservation and recreation."

The new log cabin-style visitor centre boasts a caf�, shop, bike hire and repair, and meeting room facilities.

It is run by forestry company UPM Tilhill, who established Llandegla as one of Wales's first privately-owned forests 25 years ago.

The centre hopes to teach people how the company sustains forests, as well as encouraging visitors to use the walking and biking trails.

Riders can enjoy the centre in all weather

Solar panels are used to heat the eco-friendly building, as well as a geothermal heat pump which uses 2km of underground pipes.

Steve Lavery, managing director of UPM Tilhill said the new centre had been helped by funding from the Forestry Commission, Wales Tourist Board, and Cadwyn Clwyd.

He added: "It is a credit to the dedication of all involved that over 5,000 walkers and cyclists currently visit the forest each month."

Colin Palmer, of IMBA - UK, said: "We congratulate UPM Tilhill on the development of this successful mountain biking centre and on the high level of commitment demonstrated through the use of the IMBA Trail Assessment service."