SHROPSHIRE Council has been awarded more than £140, 000 of Government funding to promote cycling and walking in the county.

The funding has come from the Department of Transport's capability fund, which is awarded to local transport authorities outside of London.

The council will consider how the funding will be spent and how it will help with the ongoing development of the council's new local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP).

The move has been welcomed by Shropshire Council.

Councillor Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for climate change, natural assets and the green economy, said: "This funding is very welcome.

"It will help our efforts to improve, enhance and promote cycling and walking facilities in the county, including our work to develop a new local cycling and walking infrastructure plan."

The LCWIP is in development and workshops in local towns with town councillors will take place in February and March will take place to help shape the draft plan for Shropshire.

This funding is separate from the capital grant fund where allocation depends on the quality of bids for infrastructure schemes.