THE FINAL piece of a new cycle route has been completed and officially opened.

The 1.5 mile Lewes to Ringmer Cycleway for cyclists and pedestrians to avoid the busy B2192 Lewes Road and Earwig Corner junction has been completed after five years.

The first section of road west of Ringmer opened in 2010 with cyclists from local schools and cycling groups among the first to enjoy the final one-mile section running alongside Lewes Road and joining the A26 via Mill Road on Wednesday.

The route was completed after South Downs National Park Authority secured £420,000 funding from the Department for Transport.

East Sussex County Council are providing an additional £180,000 while land for the new route is being provided by Sussex Wildlife Trust and the Glyndebourne Estate.