DOZENS of people took to their bikes to mark the official opening of a path between Princes Risborough and Thame.

The shared use path, the Phoenix Trail, on the disused railway between Thame and Princes Risborough has been completed up to the eastern bypass in Thame and was officially opened on Wednesday, with a bike ride.

A new tarmac path between Penn Farm, Towersey, and the bypass was laid at the end of February but the route was closed due to foot and mouth restrictions.

Sustrans (Sustainable Transport), secured the ownership of the majority of the disused railway in 1997 to turn the line into part of the National Cycle Network.

Simon Pratt, Sustrans area manager, said: "We are delighted that the Phoenix Trail is finally open. This route has had its fair share of problems but we look forward to it becoming well used and a valuable asset for the area."

Bryony John, one of the rangers who look after the trail, said: "The Phoenix trail has something to suit everyone, whether it's a quick and traffic-free cycle route between Princes Risborough and Thame, a tranquil path to amble along with your dog on a summer's evening, somewhere safe to teach your child to ride their first bicycle or a connecting route for horses to get on or off the Ridgeway at Bledlow."

Financial support for the Phoenix Trail has come from Oxfordshire County Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, the Millennium Commission and South East England Development Agency. Sustrans is now hoping to extend the route into Thame.