THE new Tamar Trails Centre in the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will officially open next Thursday (March 28) and will mark the final phase of a ten-year long, £7-million partnership project.

The centre houses a café with indoor and outdoor seating, an interpretation area with live webcams of the Tamar Valley's wildlife, a meeting room and is the home of outdoor activities specialists Tree Surfers.

It is also the main hub for exploring the 25km of trails for walkers, cyclists and horse riders that follow old mineral tramways and railways.

These serviced the area that was once the epicentre of the global copper industry and is now part of Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.

The Tamar Valley AONB delivered the project as part of its task of promoting the understanding, enjoyment and conservation of the landscape.

Manager Corinna Woodall said: 'The new centre will be a brilliant addition to the Tamar Valley AONB — as a meeting place, as a place for learning and a place to explore the great outdoors.

'This is also a celebration and culmination of the Tamar Valley Mini Heritage Project, which has helped to conserve and consolidate many historic mine sites, enhanced key wildlife habitats and has created the opportunity for everyone to have access to these special places through the provision of the Tamar Trails network.'

Robert Plumb, economic development officer for West Devon Borough Council, said: 'We are proud of the achievement of delivering this challenging project which is the culmination of at least ten years work, and would like to acknowledge the support of the key funding partners, which include the Tamar Valley AONB, the Heritage Lottery Fund, which uses money raised by the National Lottery to give grants that open up the nation's heritage for everyone to enjoy, Devon County Council and the Discover the Extraordinary Rural Development Programme for England.

'The project was born out of the legacy of the Mining Heritage and as a result of many people's efforts we have now built a new legacy which is safer and more accessible and which is available to all.

'So, whether it's walking, running, horse riding, family cycling, studying wildlife and the natural world, or the extreme sports of tree surfing and downhill biking. There's now something for everyone to enjoy.'

A free taster day of activities and an Easter egg hunt will take place on Saturday, March 30 to celebrate the opening of the centre and the end of the Tamar Valley MHP. All are welcome to attend.

Parking at the Tamar Trails car park costs £2 a day. Any parking income is re-invested into the maintenance of the trails. Visit http://www.tamartrails">www.tamartrails. co.uk for more information.