THE Olympic mountain bike course in Hadleigh looks set to stay after the 2012 games.

Essex County Council has announced a questionnaire showed 90 per cent of respondents believed cycling was an important activity to be maintained at the site.

Results of the Hadleigh Farm legacy consultation also indicated many people walk around the site and feel it is important for historical use, such as visiting Hadleigh Castle, and pursuing natural interests, such as bird watching.

Stephen Castle, county councillor responsible for education and the Olympics, said: “As we had hoped, the people of Essex are keen to maintain the mountain bike course and open the venue up to the wider public for a number of different uses.

“We are committed to making the most of the opportunity of hosting the London 2012 mountain bike events to create a legacy for not just Hadleigh, but for Essex.”

Essex County Council and its partners the Salvation Army, Castle Point Council and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games have committed to protecting the green land at the site.

They will also aim to accommodate activities, including dog walking, horse riding and running, and adapt the mountain bike course for use by the wider public.