A pressure group is bidding for Lottery cash to help it make country lanes around a village safe for cyclists.

The Chain Reaction group needs £137,000 to designate and upgrade minor roads for nine miles around Bampton.

Spokesman Jackie Garret said: "If it goes to plan it will be a haven for cyclists."

The group's aim is to provide a separate cyclists' lane on the lane from Bampton to Tadpole Bridge on the Thames, three miles away.

It involves cutting back hedgerows, filling ditches and providing a new surface next to the carriageway.

Mrs Garrett added: "Years ago children used to go to the river by bike. But today's heavy traffic is dangerous."

West Oxfordshire District Council is being urged by planning director Andrew Tucker to support the scheme with a £27,000 grant.

The council's backing is vital and would allow the project to unlock about £70,000 of Lottery funds.

Chain Reaction's fundraising efforts have already raised £20,000 and earlier this year it won £1,500 in an Active Lifestyle award scheme promoted by the charity Age Concern.

The safe cycling pathways would provide a route to Tadpole Bridge, Cote, Yelford and Lew and link with a county council plan to provide a cycle path from Bampton to Black Bourton, Kencot and Broadwell.