THE date has been set for a summer cycling festival that will bring mid Cheshire together to celebrate all things bike.

The Pedal Power Festival 2015 takes place on Sunday, June 14, and organisers plan to take it up a gear following a successful first event in 2014.

This year will see the introduction of the Salt Towns Shaker sportives for more serious cyclists, which are rides of 30 and 70 miles sweeping through the mid Cheshire countryside between Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich.

There will also be a new route through Northwich Community Woodlands for cyclists of all abilities who want to enjoy a traffic-free five-mile family ride on the doorstep of Northwich town centre.

Ride HQ and the main festival village will be in Northwich, but there will be grub hubs for sportive riders and mini festival spots in Winsford and Middlewich.

Cllr Alison Gerrard, mayor of Northwich, said: "It's great that this time will be different in that it will bring together the three towns of mid Cheshire and promote all three towns in a positive way.

"Cycling is definitely growing in popularity – I'm surprised by just how many people have got a bike and are getting out on their bikes now and staying fitter."

The first Pedal Power Festival took place in May last year and saw hundreds of cyclists brave mud and rain to enjoy the family bike ride and a host of attractions in Witton Street.

Cllr Paul Edwards, mayor of Middlewich, said: "I'm looking forward to this year's festival and will probably end up taking part myself, either the 30 or 70 mile ride, but I don't know which yet.

"It's good for all the towns and part of that mid Cheshire towns link. "Hopefully we will get a lot of people out, it will be good to see."

The festival is inspired by the Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich Guardian's Pedal Power Campaign and organised by Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich town councils.

Plans are still in their early stages and more information will be announced in the coming months.

Anyone who would like to sponsor the event or have a stall in Northwich, Winsford or Middlewich should email ask@pedalpowernorthwich.co.uk.