YOUNGSTERS are being encouraged to try their hand at cycling on a new £22,000 BMX track.

The track opened at Burnwood Primary School as part of yesterday's cycling events.

It is the third and final phase of the school's cycle programme and makes the school the first in the country to have a BMX track, 'velodrome' and mountain bike course.

Deputy headteacher Emma Wickham said: "It is extremely exciting for the kids.

"It is great exercise but they don't realise they are doing it."

Children at the Chell Heath Road school helped to come up with the design for the Cycle England-funded track and have watched it come together over the last two months.

And they were eager to get a go on it for the first time after it was opened by world champion and Olympic BMX rider Shanaze Reade.

Burnwood pupil Josh Bowden, aged 11, from Chell Heath, said: "The BMX track is really good because it means we can take part in that activity while we are at school."

His cousin Charlie Bowden, who also lives in Chell Heath, was one of the first to ride on the track.

The nine-year-old said: "It was scary going round the first time but I enjoy it now."

Fellow pupil Megan Abbotts, also aged nine and from Chell Heath, added: "The best bit is going over the bumps."