The singer from former Bradford band Terrorvision is known for his trademark gold tooth. But not many people know he got it after a cycling crash caused him to lose three teeth. Now Tony Wright is backing a campaign to transform an old railway line into a traffic-free cycling and walking track.

Tony, pictured, who has always been a keen cyclist, is supporting plans for an off-road path along the old Great Northern Railway Line between Queensbury and Cullingworth.

The railway line, which was closed in 1965 and sold to private landowners, goes through Cullingworth, Denholme, Thornton and Queensbury.

It also passes through well-known landmarks Hewenden Viaduct near Cullingworth, Thornton Viaduct and Well Heads Tunnel.

A Great Northern Trail forum, made up of historians, wildlife experts, transport enthusiasts and engineers, has been set up to plan the transformation.

And a report commissioned by the forum and carried out by SUSTRANS, the sustainable transport charity of which Tony is a member, concluded enough of the old track bed had survived to make the scheme viable.

The report said it could also link into the national cycle network and the South Pennine Packhorse Trails network, creating a new tourist market for the district.

It is estimated the railway trail will cost around £1 million, which it is hoped will be raised through grants from sources such as the European Integration programme.

Tony said: "I have always enjoyed cycling but found it difficult to get out from the city to the countryside, which is why I moved to my house near Oakworth in Keighley.

"The trail would be accessible to a lot of people. But it has got to be for everybody, including the people whose land it goes over."

Jeff McQuillan, chairman of the forum, said other local authorities had successfully transformed disused railways into leisure and wildlife corridors, such as the Spen Valley Greenway.

A public consultation would be taking place in February when 14,000 leaflets will be given out and open days will be held in Cullingworth and Thornton.

Mr McQuillan said: "Here is an opportunity to get people out in the countryside, save the viaducts and bring economic benefit to the people in the surrounding areas.

"But we realise we cannot achieve anything without the goodwill and support of the local landowners and the commitment of the local authority."

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Con, Ilkley), the Council's lead environment spokesman, said: "I am conscious the planned route does go through private property and for this reason the public consultation process is of vital importance.

"The track goes over two marvellous viaducts which are a feat of engineering and if people could walk and cycle along there this would bring even more visitors to the area."

A forum website can be found at www.thegreatnortherntrail.co.uk.