Croydon is set to get its first BMX track after plans were approved by council last week.

The specialist track next to Norbury Park sports pavilion will be home to volunteer-led community club Croydon BMX and will be open to schools and local groups during the week.

Croydon BMX, a programme aimed at encouraging more people to take up cycling, will supply qualified coaches to pass on their tricks and skills in community sessions.

Councillor Timothy Godfrey, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: “I’m really pleased that we can get started on building Croydon’s first specialist BMX track.

“This is vital investment in our parks and green spaces, which ensures that more local people of all ages and abilities can enjoy them.”

Work will begin on the £99,000 track later this year.

Croydon BMX is part of a programme launched off the back of the 2012 London Olympics by charity Access Sport.

In March 2014 the charity began the second phase of the programme, expanding it to 15 London boroughs including Croydon with the aim of reaching more than 17,000 people by this year.

The track will be funded by the council’s developer contributions scheme and a £12,000 grant from the Mayor of London’s Olympic legacy fund.