THE Aire Valley Towpath walking and cycling route between Bingley and Leeds along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is up for a national award to be named the UK’s favourite National Cycle Network route.

Alternative transport group Sustrans is asking the public to choose their favourite part of the National Cycle Network, as part of celebrations to mark 20 years since it was developed by the charity.

The charity has shortlisted ten popular long distance and ten shorter sections and is asking bike riders, walkers and everyone who uses the Network to vote for their favourite in both categories. The long distance routes range from the Cornish Way between Land's End and Bude in the South, to the Oban to Campbeltown route in Scotland. Shorter routes include the Aire Valley Towpath along with nine other shorter routes across the country.

To vote for their favourite route, people need to visit sustrans.org.uk/vote and then make their choice. The vote will run until the end of August with the winners announced in September.

Malcolm Shepherd (pictured), Sustrans chief executive, said: “The National Cycle Network is 20 years old in 2015 and we know many people have their favourite sections. We want to give people the chance to vote for the route they love the most, whether they use it every day for their commute or have just used it on holiday. The shortlist covers the length and breadth of the UK showing how the Network has grown over the years.”